GUEST COLUMN | Hayley Blundell
I first moved to Taylor in the summer of 2002. If you had told me then that almost 20 years later I would be opening up an “Ethical Cornerstore” downtown, I would have laughed. Yet here I am — going on 4 years of owning a business right in the heart of Taylor.
The main goal of this column is to spotlight the wonderful businesses we have in Taylor. Not only do we have a locally-sourced grocer, but we also have an incredible clothing boutique with items sourced from around the world, multiple bookstores that can easily hold you captivate for hours while you explore its nooks and crannies, bottle shops and beer gardens that boast ales from far and wide, as well as numerous restaurants and beautiful old buildings that have been converted into thriving community spaces.
These businesses need to be publicly praised. Being a small business owner is no joke. Many of us have sacrificed reliable income and faced crippling self-doubt to pursue our dreams.
I was also inspired to start this column because of the huge changes facing Taylor and the seemingly collective concern that we will lose our community. Until I became a small business owner, I had not realised how vital of a role momand- pop stores play to foster a sense of community.
Not only are they uniquely curated for the needs and wants of the local area, but we take the time to get to know our customers, creating a welcoming and approachable atmosphere, which spreads outside of our store settings. Let’s not forget that the owners of the small businesses here in Taylor are your neighbors. Just like you, our kids go to the same schools, our cars bounce over the same potholes, and we celebrate rain along with the rest of the town after insufferable summers. I truly believe that for the sense of community found in Taylor to continue, we need to foster small business growth.
Facing uncertainty can result in individuals opting for more known comforts. Roaming the aisles of HEB and having a sense of familiarity can feel safer than venturing to a new grocer and purchasing produce that is in season rather than read the pages of a recipe book. Or shopping online from the comfort of your home can seem easier than walking into a store you aren’t familiar with and risk not finding the exact item you had in mind. But here’s the great thing about small businesses — not only will you be making someone’s day, but you’re likely to find something even better than what you set out looking for!
Big box stores can seem more convenient and like the simpler choice, but you can’t get in and out of them within 2 minutes (important if you have overtired children). They don’t take the time to know you or what you like, and they’re usually overstimulating and make shopping feel like a chore. Small businesses will go that extra mile to foster the community we know and love in Taylor. We work hard to exeed expectations ensuring that the shopping experience we provide is one of comfort, enjoyment and inspiration. Know that when you walk in and support a small business, you are supporting someone’s dream.
So next time you find yourself driving through downtown, take a second to look into the windows or down the street, and see what gem of a space awaits you — I promise you, we have some great ones.
Blundell owns Hayley’s Grains, located at 100 E. Second St. in downtown Taylor.
