My name is Jeanenne Petri and I own Westside Stories Used Books on Grant Street in the heart of the revitalized West Side.  I’m here today as a member of Buffalo First to urge the ECHDC to sign the community benefits agreement and make locally owned business the anchor of Canalside.

Across Western New York we are seeing more and more consumers shopping locally because they understand that locally owned businesses keep three times more money in the area.  We hire locally.  Source locally.  And spend our profits locally.  When you shop at an independent retailer, you are supporting your neighbors and this city.

If you look around Buffalo you’ll see a dynamic group of strong, interesting independent businesses, yet for years the ECHDC has continued to pursue a big box retailer to bring people to down town.  Not only is it unnecessary, but that course of thinking ignores what consumers all over the region want– locally owned businesses that provide them with unparalleled service and a passion for buffalo that no outside retailer can match.  We believe in this city and Canalside, and don’t need to be bribed to come here.

Canalside is a project funded with public dollars.  Instead of writing a 35 million dollar check to another big box retailer, I urge the ECHDC to shop like Buffalonians do– locally.  Let’s support a local economy built on hard work, not subsidies, by those who live in the community, not outside of it, for the good of all, not just a few.

Local business and entrepreneurial spirit should be the cornerstone on which all other development rests. I call upon the ECHDC to swiftly negotiate an agreement that will make local business the anchor tenant at Canalside.

Thank you.

I am representing small business from all over the city, and speaking in favor of putting local, small business on the Canal Side as the anchor tenants. I know from personal experience that this is the right move for all of us.

My participation in this rally is heartfelt. I have built 3 small businesses in Buffalo over the past 3 years — in what most consider to be “alternative” locations.  All are thriving, against all odds.

I am frequently asked why I would do this line of work, when I don’t really have to work at this point in my life.   They think “Small business – so hard – so much time and effort for so little return”..  etc.  I respond happily that it is the most satisfying job of my life.  You see – I know that our culture is lacking love.  Really.  Something as simple as a heartfelt good morning, and thank you and good bye , really matter to all of us, as human beings.  A bartender remembering your name and the coffee you drink.  Locally owned and operated businesses attract a steady flow of clientele because of the genuine natural ability within us all, to understand and thrive on kindness and caring.  We all need it and we will go out of our way to support that kind of business.  One starts their day happier encountering a bit of love and kindness and they in turn share that feeling.

Small business owners truly care about our employees. Our personal relationship with the employee creates a sense of ownership in that employee and a loyalty that is not seen in big business.  We succeed because of the type of person the customer encounters working in our shops. We care about the community that we live and work in.  We make everything better around us because we really care about our investment and our city.   We make enough money to pay our staff and bills and to take care of our personal needs.  I don’t imagine any of us will be rich, but we are always happy and with that comes a sense of peace that is shared with all of those around us at work and at home in our communities.