Closed on Sundays???

Outlaw · 11-11-2006, 06:56 AM

I noticed those who are fussing about this post don't seem to have much in the way of their user profile, just the standard issue info. Speaking of showing yourself.....?

New Hampshire is New Hampshire. Things here are a little different (Lakes Region). We don't have things like rush hour traffic jams (rush hour in the Lakes Region might be 12 cars on the same road at the same time in both lanes); tremendous amount of light pollution because everything is open 24/7; not everything is biggie sized; we don't mind waiting in line at the store and don't make faces at the cashier or comments loud enough for those close by to hear; when the traffic light turns green and no one moves there isn't a symphony of horns screaming at you; most drivers don't try to 'beat' the yellow light; getting your dry cleaning back in a week is really ok and when they have to write up your tickets by hand and that takes a few minutes we don't get upset; when the sign on the highway says, right lane closed 1/2 mile ahead, guess what we all move over to the left lane when we see the initial warning, rather than race each other down to the line and cut in when the lane ends.

Life here (and in general) does not need to be rushed, folks here are really in no rush and we all don't need to have immediate gratification and 24 hour access to all the world has to offer. I think because we are not waiting to the last minute or leading such a rushed/fast paced life style we tend to plan out our errands and if you need something unexpectedly, well there are two choices - go to the Big Retailer, or wait until your favorite local retailer is open tomorrow. It's not that we don't care or are not sophisticated enough to understand the fast pace of society and technology, we just really like where we live and like to take the time to enjoy it and the people in it.

Most local businesses have extended hours in the summer, for a number of reasons; it's summer - and we have longer daylight hours translating to more time to do things, but more so because the population in the area increases drastically with vacationers and tourists. Simple rule of supply and demand. The demand is greater when the number of people here is greater. Once summer is over, the population is back to 'normal' and we go into daylight savings time and the demand is decreased. When the demand is not there, it makes no financial sense for a business to be open or remain open longer hours. Some of the local businesses are seasonal, and one of the reasons they are is the financial impact it has on their business to remain open when the demand is lower. It costs the same amount of money (actually more in the daylight savings time for electricity and heat) to keep the doors open regardless if the seasonal folks are here or not. It can often be financially less expensive to close for the season.

Yes, all the small business owners have lives, some have families, some have other responsibilities (jobs, volunteer work...). Not all have the luxury of affording additional help which may enable them to remain open longer hours and/or more days a week - but back to my earlier comment, it can often be an increased business expense to keep the doors open longer hours/more days, and the amount of foot traffic (this translates to sales) may not justify the means. I feel the most important of all reasons why small business owners may not be open 24/7 - is because they can!! Small business owners work for themselves, a choice they made - and this choice has tradeoffs. A small business owner may not pull in 6 figures a year (some may), but you know what, we can be open when we feel it is important and when we know our audience needs us. It may mean being open on weekends and not on Tuesday or Wednesday. Small business owners chose to be business owners because they chose to live their particular lifestyle. A lifestyle where 9 to 5 it is not dictated to them. Oh and by the way, small business owners have to pay for their own benefits (medical, dental...) and when we take a vacation, granted we don't generally have to fill out a form or ask for someone's permission - but guess what, most of us do not get paid when we take a vacation. These too are a cost of doing business.

What's great about this country is diversity. Within an hour you can be in a completely different area with a different culture. People choose to live/work in certain areas of the country because the area feeds their personal and professional needs. New Hampshire may not have as much industry as some of its neighboring states, and that's not a bad thing. It's what makes New Hampshire unique and attracts people because they are looking to escape the culture they live/work in for something new, different, less intense - call it what you like, it's whatever you find intriguing about New Hampshire.

I too am a small business owner and I can first hand appreciate and understand why we need to operate the way we do, and yes I believe all small business owners feel the impact of the Superstores, the Depots, the Biggie size competitors. There is strength in numbers and these retailers have numbers, a large number of dollars to support their organization, a large number of people working in the stores, a large number of people behind the scenes - a Board of Directors, Investors, a legal team, a financial team.........many times all the members of these teams can be found in 'THE' business owner - he/she just wears many hats.
Maybe some of what I said can help people understand why New Hampshire is.......New Hampshire, we're here doing what we do because we 'Like / Love' what we do.

Life is too short, enjoy it while you can for it may surprise you and be gone tomorrow.

ApS · 11-11-2006, 08:33 AM

As another who grew up in this culture and mannerisms...well said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw

"...Within an hour you can be in a completely different area with a different culture..."

However, when one selects a culture such as New Hampshire's to drive to, one shouldn't change it.

SteveA · 11-11-2006, 11:56 AM

Outlaw...

As a Mass "transplant" 21 years ago, I couldn't agree more with your thoughtful comments.

Coming from Mass, we got a fast lesson in the "New Hampshire" way of life. Gilford wanted to build a playground at the elementary school. Had I still been in Saugus Mass, it would have had to go to the town, go through town meeting, go out to bid and ended up on my property tax bill. The playground would have been ready for use when my kids graduated from High School. (OK may Jr. High)

What happened in Gilford was amazing.. The kids in town collected enough pennies to cover the gym floor, LOCAL businesses contributed manpower and equipment and the parents of the kids that wanted the playground showed up and built the Imagination Station in three days. No hit on the tax bill, no burden on the families in Gilford that didn't have kids that would use the playground.

My wife and I as newcomers met friends during the project that 20 years later are still good friends. Looking back, it defines what New Hampshire is about..

As far as "Closed on Sunday" and the difference between the big box stores, we have decided to stay with the "locals". For a major home renovation project.. We used Gilford Home Center... not Home Depot. They delivered free. and in some cases within an hour of finding out we needed a few more sheets of drywall. When we decided to build a garden and renovate the lawn this year... we went to Agway and Beans and Greens... the advice they gave us far "out valued" the savings we would have got by running off to Tilton to save a few bucks.

I can't count the times I've gone to the hardware store on Union Ave with a pocket full of loose parts and screws and asked "got any of these?".. or "how do I... (fill in the blank) " Some of the folks at that store are the same ones that were there 20 years ago!

Do ever go the big box? Sure.. sometimes they have a wider selection, or that hard to find part. But to me, they are the back-up supplier.. not the primary.

In our years here, we have found the local businesses to be terrific, even if they weren't open on Sunday.

Outlaw · 11-12-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

Outlaw...
What happened in Gilford was amazing.. The kids in town collected enough pennies to cover the gym floor, LOCAL businesses contributed manpower and equipment and the parents of the kids that wanted the playground showed up and built the Imagination Station in three days. No hit on the tax bill, no burden on the families in Gilford that didn't have kids that would use the playground.

My wife and I as newcomers met friends during the project that 20 years later are still good friends.

Steve A - thank you.!

And what you said - this it's what it's all about, a perfect balance in life of responsibilities, and what it takes - teamwork, devotion and friends. Building that playground is just as important as your business being successful.

Sometimes being open on Sunday means donating your time helping others and your community, whether it's your own personal time or your professional time and materials through the trade you are in.

I've spoken with many a folk who have relocated to the area, or are contemplating it and they all had/have one common concern - cultural differences. Those from a faster paced culture may find that it can take up to 3 years to adapt, but over time they do and are generally glad they took the time to do so.

From time to time I visit the Big Box companies, for one reason or another, but when I plan out my projects it's the local small business I go to first because generally the service is better, the products are better and it's nice when you walk in and they say 'Hey (insert your name here), good morning, how's business going.' I'm a strong supporter of the local economy and will always be. By supporting my local businesses, I hope my contribution can help them compete with the Big Box folks, and one hand washes the other - by supporting them, they in turn support me, and hopefully we can all be successful (even when I'm home on Sunday reading this thread and not open for business, although I have some estimates to work on today for customers so I guess technically I am working on Sunday).

Outlaw · 11-12-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acres per Second

However, when one selects a culture such as New Hampshire's to drive to, one shouldn't change it.

HERE HERE - maybe this should be printed on the signs that say welcome to New Hampshire instead (you know, when in Rome.......)

If you change it - you are only making it into what you are trying to get away from, kinda self sabotage - and that wouldn't accomplish much now would it.

jerry o. · 11-12-2006, 10:45 PM

I'm sorry I thought I was allowed to post my opinion on this forum,just like you did.But,name calling? (flammer)? What are you in, grade school? Why don't you sit at your desk quietly and finish your milk.As for ''standards'' if all your house projects are completed by H.D. lumber then I really am sorry for you.

Weirs guy · 11-13-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry o.

I'm sorry I thought I was allowed to post my opinion on this forum,just like you did.But,name calling? (flammer)? What are you in, grade school? Why don't you sit at your desk quietly and finish your milk.As for ''standards'' if all your house projects are completed by H.D. lumber then I really am sorry for you.

Your opinion is welcome, but if you'd like anyone here to listen to it I'd suggest dropping your "you don't know what your talking about" attitude. Spirited discussions are one thing, but the "HELLO....THEY ARE A LUMBER YARD...DAA..." craps not the best way to do it.

Otherwise you'll find yourself on other peoples ignore list along with mine.

ApS · 11-13-2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw

"...If you change it - you are only making it into what you are trying to get away from, kinda self sabotage... - and that wouldn't accomplish much now would it..."

OK...One change:

I'd like to see Lake Winnipesaukee's regulations enforced, equivalent to 1985's enforcement level.

11-11-2006, 06:56 AM	#1
Outlaw Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 338 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It's a lifestyle I noticed those who are fussing about this post don't seem to have much in the way of their user profile, just the standard issue info. Speaking of showing yourself.....? New Hampshire is New Hampshire. Things here are a little different (Lakes Region). We don't have things like rush hour traffic jams (rush hour in the Lakes Region might be 12 cars on the same road at the same time in both lanes); tremendous amount of light pollution because everything is open 24/7; not everything is biggie sized; we don't mind waiting in line at the store and don't make faces at the cashier or comments loud enough for those close by to hear; when the traffic light turns green and no one moves there isn't a symphony of horns screaming at you; most drivers don't try to 'beat' the yellow light; getting your dry cleaning back in a week is really ok and when they have to write up your tickets by hand and that takes a few minutes we don't get upset; when the sign on the highway says, right lane closed 1/2 mile ahead, guess what we all move over to the left lane when we see the initial warning, rather than race each other down to the line and cut in when the lane ends. Life here (and in general) does not need to be rushed, folks here are really in no rush and we all don't need to have immediate gratification and 24 hour access to all the world has to offer. I think because we are not waiting to the last minute or leading such a rushed/fast paced life style we tend to plan out our errands and if you need something unexpectedly, well there are two choices - go to the Big Retailer, or wait until your favorite local retailer is open tomorrow. It's not that we don't care or are not sophisticated enough to understand the fast pace of society and technology, we just really like where we live and like to take the time to enjoy it and the people in it. Most local businesses have extended hours in the summer, for a number of reasons; it's summer - and we have longer daylight hours translating to more time to do things, but more so because the population in the area increases drastically with vacationers and tourists. Simple rule of supply and demand. The demand is greater when the number of people here is greater. Once summer is over, the population is back to 'normal' and we go into daylight savings time and the demand is decreased. When the demand is not there, it makes no financial sense for a business to be open or remain open longer hours. Some of the local businesses are seasonal, and one of the reasons they are is the financial impact it has on their business to remain open when the demand is lower. It costs the same amount of money (actually more in the daylight savings time for electricity and heat) to keep the doors open regardless if the seasonal folks are here or not. It can often be financially less expensive to close for the season. Yes, all the small business owners have lives, some have families, some have other responsibilities (jobs, volunteer work...). Not all have the luxury of affording additional help which may enable them to remain open longer hours and/or more days a week - but back to my earlier comment, it can often be an increased business expense to keep the doors open longer hours/more days, and the amount of foot traffic (this translates to sales) may not justify the means. I feel the most important of all reasons why small business owners may not be open 24/7 - is because they can!! Small business owners work for themselves, a choice they made - and this choice has tradeoffs. A small business owner may not pull in 6 figures a year (some may), but you know what, we can be open when we feel it is important and when we know our audience needs us. It may mean being open on weekends and not on Tuesday or Wednesday. Small business owners chose to be business owners because they chose to live their particular lifestyle. A lifestyle where 9 to 5 it is not dictated to them. Oh and by the way, small business owners have to pay for their own benefits (medical, dental...) and when we take a vacation, granted we don't generally have to fill out a form or ask for someone's permission - but guess what, most of us do not get paid when we take a vacation. These too are a cost of doing business. What's great about this country is diversity. Within an hour you can be in a completely different area with a different culture. People choose to live/work in certain areas of the country because the area feeds their personal and professional needs. New Hampshire may not have as much industry as some of its neighboring states, and that's not a bad thing. It's what makes New Hampshire unique and attracts people because they are looking to escape the culture they live/work in for something new, different, less intense - call it what you like, it's whatever you find intriguing about New Hampshire. I too am a small business owner and I can first hand appreciate and understand why we need to operate the way we do, and yes I believe all small business owners feel the impact of the Superstores, the Depots, the Biggie size competitors. There is strength in numbers and these retailers have numbers, a large number of dollars to support their organization, a large number of people working in the stores, a large number of people behind the scenes - a Board of Directors, Investors, a legal team, a financial team.........many times all the members of these teams can be found in 'THE' business owner - he/she just wears many hats. Maybe some of what I said can help people understand why New Hampshire is.......New Hampshire, we're here doing what we do because we 'Like / Love' what we do. Life is too short, enjoy it while you can for it may surprise you and be gone tomorrow. __________________ I fought the Law, and the Law won

11-11-2006, 11:56 AM	#3
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Well said! Outlaw... As a Mass "transplant" 21 years ago, I couldn't agree more with your thoughtful comments. Coming from Mass, we got a fast lesson in the "New Hampshire" way of life. Gilford wanted to build a playground at the elementary school. Had I still been in Saugus Mass, it would have had to go to the town, go through town meeting, go out to bid and ended up on my property tax bill. The playground would have been ready for use when my kids graduated from High School. (OK may Jr. High) What happened in Gilford was amazing.. The kids in town collected enough pennies to cover the gym floor, LOCAL businesses contributed manpower and equipment and the parents of the kids that wanted the playground showed up and built the Imagination Station in three days. No hit on the tax bill, no burden on the families in Gilford that didn't have kids that would use the playground. My wife and I as newcomers met friends during the project that 20 years later are still good friends. Looking back, it defines what New Hampshire is about.. As far as "Closed on Sunday" and the difference between the big box stores, we have decided to stay with the "locals". For a major home renovation project.. We used Gilford Home Center... not Home Depot. They delivered free. and in some cases within an hour of finding out we needed a few more sheets of drywall. When we decided to build a garden and renovate the lawn this year... we went to Agway and Beans and Greens... the advice they gave us far "out valued" the savings we would have got by running off to Tilton to save a few bucks. I can't count the times I've gone to the hardware store on Union Ave with a pocket full of loose parts and screws and asked "got any of these?".. or "how do I... (fill in the blank) " Some of the folks at that store are the same ones that were there 20 years ago! Do ever go the big box? Sure.. sometimes they have a wider selection, or that hard to find part. But to me, they are the back-up supplier.. not the primary. In our years here, we have found the local businesses to be terrific, even if they weren't open on Sunday. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

11-12-2006, 10:45 PM	#6
jerry o. Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	For Weirsguy I'm sorry I thought I was allowed to post my opinion on this forum,just like you did.But,name calling? (flammer)? What are you in, grade school? Why don't you sit at your desk quietly and finish your milk.As for ''standards'' if all your house projects are completed by H.D. lumber then I really am sorry for you.