Getz’s employees Avery Hill, back, and Kathy Parent, stock the shelves at the downtown Marquette store. (Journal photo by Alexandria Bournonville)

MARQUETTE — Gov. Whitmer proclaimed July 31 through Aug. 6 as “Buy Michigan Week” to encourage buying local and supporting Michigan’s economy.

“Small businesse make up about 98% of businesses in Michigan, employ half the state’s workforce, and grow the middle class,” Gov. Whitmer said. “During Buy Michigan Week, I encourage every Michigander to support local businesses and take a little extra pride in Michigan-made products.”

Purchasing from locally owned businesses helps residents maintain their jobs by keeping that money instate.

The Lake Superior Community Partnership, for one, has been advancing this prerogative for three years. With its Love on Local program, started in 2020 to help post-pandemic recovery, anyone can buy a Love on Local gift card that can be used at any local small business in Marquette County that accepts debit/credit cards.

“That also means that if they are online, but based in Marquette County, that would work, too, because they’re still a local, small business even though they don’t have a storefront,” said LSCP Outreach and Development specialist Megan O’Connor. “However, we support local, small businesses first and foremost. So, if you want to buy that massage gift card for someone, then go directly to the source.”

Holly DeGroot–owner of Marquette-based boutique called Revisions–echoed Whitmer’s sentiment.

“We truly celebrate with each sale that we make,” DeGroot said. “Shopping small and supporting local businesses is something to be proud of as an individual. When you shop small you are supporting local individuals and families. When you buy something from our store you are directly supporting myself and my son, my sister and our team of students and young professionals.”

As of June, Michigan’s unemployment rate was 3.6%, the lowest in 23 years–due to local businesses. Michigan’s labor force was increased by 85,000 in the first half of 2023, the most ever for the first six months of a year since the data series began in the 1970s.

Also in Marquette, staff from the century-old store Getz’s were excited to hear the governor’s announcement.

“I’m sure every local and Michigan-based company, business (and) store all appreciate her words and encouragement,” said Getz’s Men’s Department Manager Kurt Freudenstein.

He said that big corporations can’t provide the same sense of comfort or community, making smaller stores more appealing for locals. Freudenstein said he’s “heard people say they are aware they can shop elsewhere” but come back to Getz’s too, as Whitmer said, “Keep it local.”

“We try to focus on customers being greeted,” he said. “We have associated ready to help you, tell you about the products and help you make decisions….We might be a familiar face in the community that you’ve seen elsewhere…being able to be comfortable…and draw information pertinent to the products being what (separates) us from the big box stores.”

DeGroot’s thoughts lined up with Freudenstein’s exactly.

“Yes, it’s easier to shop online or do a Target pickup,” she said. “However, when you shop with us, you know directly who your sale will impact.”

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.