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Residents praise extra touch from local businesses
Mike Ventrella (left) of Downers Grove talks with James Marino, who handles sales and operations at Razny Jewelers in downtown Hinsdale. | Kimberly Fornek~Sun-Times Media
Updated: June 11, 2012 3:13PM
Jeff Holland, who stopped in at Razny Jewelers in downtown Hinsdale last Friday, said he was not especially aware of the “shop local” message village officials have been preaching lately.
“The average person is going to act in their best interest,” said Holland, a 19-year resident. “You want value.”
If a person chooses where to shop “just on price, it’s a tough game,” Holland said. “You can find better prices at Amazon.com, but what every business here in town that is successful is doing is giving good service.”
So while municipalities are reminding residents that money spent in town generates sales taxes spent on their Police, Fire and Public Works departments, Holland goes to small merchants for a different reason.
“People should shop local because they have great service.”
His 18-year-old daughter, Kati, who accompanied him to Razny, had one of her father’s wristwatches on her wrist.
“I came in here 30 minutes before her graduation and had it sized for her,” Holland said. “They took out some links. That’s service I can’t get from Amazon.com.”
If he goes shopping at Kramer Foods and happens to forget his wallet, “they’ll spot you the money,” Holland said.
His daughter nodded. She too had been allowed to “buy” items at Kramer’s when she had no money. They settle the bill later.
“Hartley’s Cycle Shoppe will put air in your tires,” Jeff Holland said. “At King Keyser, they’ll string a racquet for me real quick.”
“Fuller’s has great guys on the (sales) floor,” ready to help the customer with any home repair.
Kati Holland shops often at Alixandra and Shop 10 in downtown Hinsdale.
“It’s real convenient. Every time I have a birthday party to go to, I stop by Alixandra’s beforehand,” she said. “They have all (the merchandise) arranged by price. If you want to get something for under 20 bucks, you can just go and pick something up.”
Themi Rush of Chicago was shopping with 11-month-old Michael and her mother, Donna Konstantinidis.
Rush said she is looking at houses in the area and wanted to see what stores and restaurants were in Hinsdale.
“We like the small town feel,” Rush said. “There are a lot of mom and pop shops which is nice to see. It’s what we’re looking for after living in Chicago.”
As a Hinsdale resident and treasurer of the Hinsdale Public Library Foundation, David Pequet said he believes in shopping locally.
“It’s like motherhood and apple pie. You support your local businesses. Luis and Razny Jewelers have been a real active part in the community. They have been a big supporter of the library.”
“We give to the community, so it is nice when the community gives back to us,” said James Marino, who handles sales and operations at Razny. “We get our name out there and when they see that you support the community, they come back and support you,” Marino said.
What would make it easier to frequent Hinsdale shops is more parking, Pequet said.
“I had to circle around three times to find parking to get a haircut. But parking’s been a problem in this town forever.”
