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 Mary Stangle-Hess

The Staples Business Group wishes to thank our community members, Lakewood Health System employees and Central Lakes College students and staff for their incredible response to the customer survey distributed at the end November. The input gathered from your responses will help pave the way for our business community to better suit your needs.

As small business owners and service providers, we are well aware that our customers are the reason we continue to operate. Without our customers, we have nothing. So, we strive to meet your needs, solve your problems and expand our products and services in this ever-changing economy.

Since our economy took its nosedive, we are struggling right along with you. Sometimes we don’t have what you need in stock. Just let any of us know what you need, and we’ll find it for you locally if at all possible. It is our goal to keep our business local so the dollars still stay in our community.

On Feb. 8, the Staples Business Group, the Staples Economic Development Authority, the Downtown Revitalization Board and the Chamber will meet to discuss the results of the survey in depth and to develop a strategic plan to address the needs and issues which have been identified.

Please feel free to get involved in this process - the more community input we have, the better we can plan. The results of the survey will be published a bit at a time. If you would like more information or would like to get involved, please contact us at staplesbusinessgroup@ yahoo.com.

The people who completed this survey, as well as the entire community need to know how much their time and input is appreciated, and one way to do that is to celebrate.

On Feb. 20, the Staples Business Group in partnership with the Chamber will host a family fun day at Dower Lake from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. with events such as a children’s fishing contest, vending, an ice tug of war, snowman building contest, sliding, etc. There will be an event downtown that evening for the adults.

Please mark this date on your calendar and watch for posters and advertisements in the next couple of weeks.

Mary Stangle-Hess is cochair of the Staples Business Group and owner of Heritage Design and Radio Shack in Staples. She can be reached at 218-894-1010 or at staplesbusinessgroup@yahoo. com