The “Art” of Supporting Local

Staples Historically has always been a Traveler’s Rest

76 in 1976! That was the count of retail shops in Staples!

Why? All travel leads to Staples. The highway, the train, and the preached habit that this is the place to shop, and if you were driving by, it was the destination to rest with a welcome of open shops to exercise your legs, get a bite to eat, and toast a drink after a long day at work.

To build the momentum, it starts by teaching and practicing the “Art of Supporting Local”.

Looking back at our history is a great way to remember who we were and perhaps a rally call to each of us to do a gut check of our most significant assets to get Main Street back to the vibrant stop it once was.

The assets? The Highway! We not only have the settled Highway 10, but it comes with a stoplight right at the corner of 210 and 10! We have over 13,000 cars a day going by at 35 miles per hour. The Highway 10 stoplight brings another 3,500 vehicles a day. This is an asset many communities would beg to have. This habitual traffic once supported these 76 retail shops.

The Train! The train will someday have an afternoon stop from Minneapolis, and we used to have over 25,000 people a day get off the train - 15,000 got right back on. But 10,000 people needed to be entertained, fed, and offered supplies and services while they waited for the trains to turn. Our City Council just voted in support of this afternoon train, and it will be coming, and we need to get ready!

Today, I am more excited about Staples than ever. We have momentum and adventure in our favor. Today, we need to continue living by example and teach our youth and the workers who travel here to support those who are here now.

Economic Development is three things mainly: 1. Making sure existing businesses are supported. 2. Helping existing businesses to expand. 3. Bringing in new businesses.

Looking back at how far we have come is to remember the assets that helped them then, and perhaps we can re-imagine Staples as the Historic Place to Stop! There is so much here now, let’s build the ones who are here up, help them to expand, and if you are looking for a community to bring your dream to, pick Staples! Our assets are here, and the traffic count and local support are ready for you!

STAPLES PRIDE is “Art” of Shopping Local! Historically and today.