A Bonney Lake business owner said residents shopping locally would help local business survive during the rough economic period.
Larry Dever, a business owner, believes it so much that he posted it on his reader board outside his shop in the 19000 block of state Route 410.
His sign along the eastbound corridor states, “Times are tuff! For us all! Let us help you! That helps us all!”
He said he has been putting up slogans on one side of his sign for years.
“I advertise my specials on one side of the sign and put a slogan on the other side,” Dever said.
Dever, owner of Larry’s Quality Brakes and Muffler, said Bonney Lake is a small community and residents need to help local businesses by spending money within community.
Dever said he has lived in Bonney Lake since 1968 and has never seen the current economy in the present state.
He said five things happened last year that weakened the regional business – last year’s high gas prices, the 45-day Boeing strike, Washington Mutual and other banks collapsing, housing market and weather.
But Dever said his business has increased over the past three weeks.
Bonney Lake businesses, he said, have plenty to offer including dentists, doctors, mechanics and many other regular day-to-day businesses locally.
“We moved her and raised our families in a great environment,” said Devers. “But many residents take there business outside the area.”
Dever said he sees a lot of empty spaces in the area strip malls.
He and his wife counted 38 vacant business spaces along the 410 corridor alone, and feels high rental and lease rates are a main factor.
“If we could get help from our landlords to reduce the current monthly lease or rent,” Dever said. “They would have more occupied spaces and have more to offers our neighbors.”
Dever said some of the business owners live within the community. “They will meet our needs if offered a chance,” he said.
He also feels the “buying public” has an advantage because most business owners are willing to take offers and make deals.
“They wouldn’t be doing that is the economy was strong,” Dever explained.
