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36 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, August 31, 2007 SHOP LOCAL ­ SHOP HALTON HILLS! OK GREAT SUMMER! I realize there's a whole lot of crap going on in the world but all the more reason to count our blessings living in Canada and particularly ­ Halton Hills. SHOP LOCAL ­ SHOP HALTON HILLS! SHOP LOCAL ­ SHOP HALTON HILLS! As an entrepreneur (entre-manure in my business) my only regret is not coming up with that likeness of Michael Vick as a "chew toy" for dogs. Boy, that would have paid for a really nice new dealership at 336 Guelph Street. Hey, I love football; I played, my sons play but my dog Hack's new liner in his nap basket is a $130.00 #7 Atlanta Falcons Jersey. Oh well. Back to local stuff; I'm glad to see our town's merchants re-kindling a "think global shop local" motif. One of our best ambassadors and a fine example of the many brains + beauty movers and shakers, in this town is Herminia Henderson and her team at the Georgetown Marketplace. Folks, I know there's a perception of merchandise being cheaper "out of town", but I'll tell you this and every local merchant will agree; if you are not competitive, you cannot survive! PERIOD. A buck less here and a buck more there, heck fuel costs alone give local merchants a distinct advantage! How many of you are day traders looking for instant gratification that wears off by day's end? Right, me neither. Like RSP's your local businesses will focus on steady growth with particular attention paid to nurturing a long-term relationship. Big Box stores with huge corporate advertising budgets on TV, radio and print sound attractive and are certainly effective (we all feel it); but anytime I've asked a local store to match any price on golf clubs, skates, power equipment, services etc... they have. (Cheerfully may I add and thanking me for the opportunity) Finally and most importantly, as local businesses prosper the need for labour increases. In 1993 there were 9 of us at Georgetown Chrysler Jeep; today we are 40 + employees. Do you think that a Big Box store in Mississauga/Brampton/Milton is going to employ/subsidize your teenager's post secondary education through summer employment? Do you want to do that drive/pick up on a daily basis? Folks, I'm not whining. We're doing ok but some are not and this topic is both current and near and dear to my heart. Please support your locally owned and operated businesses. Trust me, we all win! Go Halton Hills! P.S. Employee pricing continues with further enhancements, come see. SHOP LOCAL ­ SHOP HALTON HILLS! GEORGETOWN CHRYSLER 336 GUELPH ST., GEORGETOWN 905-877-0149 GEORGETOWNCHRYSLER.COM