08/03/2026
Welcome to my TED talk. Grab your coffee & buckle up because it's a long one.
I saw a post this weekend that really hit home, and it’s been on my mind ever since.
We hear all the time that Corning is “the place to be.” People love our downtown. They love the charm, the unique shops, the restaurants, and the feeling of walking down Main Street.
Then, sometimes in the very next conversation, I’ll hear, “I can get that cheaper at…” insert big box store here.
And you know what? Sometimes you probably can.
But let’s be clear. Most of the time, we’re not comparing apples to apples.
Small businesses simply can’t buy the way big box stores do. We don’t order thousands of one item. We don’t have warehouses full of inventory. We hand-pick products, pay to have them shipped here, and hope enough people walk through the door so we can do it all again next season.
This isn’t me saying you should never shop online or at a big box store. I do too. Sometimes convenience wins, and that’s okay.
One of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes says,
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
The older I get, the more I realize that quote isn’t just about people. It’s about communities.
We can’t say Corning is “the place to be” if we’re not willing to support the people who make it that way.
Behind every storefront is someone who took a chance. Someone who believed in this town enough to invest their savings, their time, and their heart into it. They’re the people sponsoring little league teams, donating to school fundraisers, supporting community events, serving on boards, volunteering their time, and cheering beside you in the bleachers on Friday nights.
And if you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could do more to help our community,” here’s your reminder, you can. Shop local when you can, yes, but also get involved. Volunteer. Sit on a board. Show up to events. Support the organizations and efforts that keep this town strong. It all matters more than people realize.
But when you have the choice, remember this:
Your dollars are casting a vote for the kind of community you want.
Every purchase is a decision about what stays and what slowly disappears.
Every time you choose local, you’re helping keep another storefront full instead of empty. You’re helping a family keep chasing a dream. You’re helping preserve the charm, character, and sense of community that makes people say, “Corning is the place to be.”
Because the truth is…
We can’t expect to have a thriving Main Street or community if we aren’t willing to invest in it.
So shop local, volunteer for a non profit, sit on a board within your community.
So thank you.
Thank you to everyone who chooses to support local, whether it’s my shoppe or another small business in town. Your support reaches so much further than the item you carry out the door.
The end. 🖤
