EDITOR’S NOTE: The Staples Business Group and the Staples Downtown Revitalization Board recently conducted a survey asking how the retail and service sectors of Staples can be improved. This is the first of an occasional series addressing some of the issues raised in the survey.

By Lee Jenkins

What a neat tool to have available for businesses in Staples. We had 780 responses to five key questions; the answers were nothing short of amazing. Now is the time for the Staples business community to tell who they are, where they are and what their business is.

When old Highway 10 and Fourth Street is being torn up, businesses will need to inform the public about open times, access to their particular business. They will need to say: Hey, it’s a mess but we are still open; and this is how we are going to make it easier and worth while for you to continue shopping with us. Maybe, together they can promote city wide and have some fun doing it.

The Staples Motley Area Chamber of Commerce has hired a Main Street Coordinator to help facilitate this, along with the “downtown” revitalization.

The chamber office will have the plans and maps, and the public is encouraged to check them out and ask questions about the turn back project plus any business related questions.

These are exciting times as Staples is putt’n on a new face; bear with us in this endeavor; continue shopping local. You have told us what you want. We are listening and we will try hard to comply. Thank you.

Lee Jenkins is president of the Staples Motley Area Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 218-894-3974