Succeeding in small business relies upon customer support, loyalty

To the Editor:

I usually do not write letters to editor, but with this (closing and sale of BellaVino) going on, I felt the need to speak up.

I also own a small business (not corporation) in Athens. The people of Athens do not understand just what it takes to run and keep a business going. In her Reader's Forum of Jan. 23, Lili (Chandler Glover) said, "I remember when I came to the sad realization that as much as people push for others to shop local businesses around Athens, I ended up behind many of those same people in the checkout line at Kroger's staring at their multiple six-packs of beer and bottles of wine."

I have had the same experiences, and it is upsetting to us small businesses that people in this town do not practice what they preach. When they shop for items and get services done with companies that own many stores, it hurts us small businesses.

And many of those same people are the first ones to yell when a small business is forced to close in Athens.

I am right there with Lili that deciding to open a business in this town is a hard decision to make, and closing that same business is an even harder decision.

I wish everyone could own a business for six months so they could realize that it's not as easy as they think it is. Most people are under the assumption that just because you own a business, you are making a lot of money. That is the furthest thing from the truth.

We put in a lot of hours (you have to be there when the doors are open). Some weeks we cannot pay ourselves. How many of you would work for nothing? The business's bills have to be paid before we are.

So please, people, stop shopping at the big stores and support your local Athens small businesses. Or just leave your opinions out of it!

Sheila Smith
Detangles Hair and Nail Center
Athens