Ray High School’s band performs in the courtyard uptown near Old Time Pizza in Kearny.
Summer is slack time for local businesses in the Copper Basin. Everybody adjusts to the heat as they are able. Contractors start work much earlier and try to end the day before the heat gets oppressive. Local people plan their vacations in order to visit cooler places. School activities have come to an end. And only hikers with addled brains would even attempt this section of the Arizona Trail.
Most of the galleries and little shops in Superior and Globe/Miami either reduce their hours or take a long summer break.
Successful businesses have to take the slack season into account. A truly successful business is one which manages to stay open in the summer and has the stamina to move into Fall and Winter.
I have a suggestion for something we can do which will help all our businesses. Call me Captain Obvious, but I think we have an obligation to buy locally. Not only will we help our businesses, but we will save money. Yes, save money. Factor in the cost of heading to the big towns… gasoline, restaurant meals, maybe a movie (and don’t forget those things you buy just on impulse)… and almost every trip is a financial loss, It’s a loss in another way. The money we spend in our own town stays in town, gets recirculated to our businesses, and keeps local people employed. By several accounts, each dollar spent locally adds at least $6 to the local economy.
I also suggest we have more summer events on our main streets. Last week the Ray High School band played music in front of Old Time Pizza in Kearny. The owners, Gary and Lorraine Birkett, gave 20% of everything they sold toward new uniforms for the band, and Ruby Smith set up a community yard sale with all proceeds going to the same goal. Cars lined Alden Road. Old Time Pizza was continually busy, and people spilled out into the air, enjoying the music and visiting with each other. When the band quit playing, Neal Wood took up his guitar and lifted his voice.
Wouldn’t it be great to have more events like this, especially in the business area? Local events, for local people, are what I have in mind. And who knows? If we are having a good time in our town, maybe people from other places will want to join in.
Finally, I suggest that we support the Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce, which is organizing itself to better the economy in Hayden, Winkelman, Kearny and all the unincorporated areas. All of our businesses, large and small, can benefit from banding together.
The chamber is hosting an informal gathering at the General Kearny Inn in Kearny on Thursday, June 7. For an hour, beginning at 6 p.m., people interested in the chamber’s work can mingle and learn about each other. Time will be given for everyone to speak about the hopes and concerns they have for the local economy. On Saturday. June 16, a day-long planning session will be held in order to develop plans and strategies.
Business owners and area people are all invited to these gatherings. Give your time to make a difference.
By the way, the summer business hours for the Copper Basin Chamber will start June 29 with the office open Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.