• The Mayor of Spring Branch

    From Barmed@21:4/127 to All on Fri Jan 15 08:42:12 2021
    With all of the doom and gloom we are seeing, I thought people might lije to see something happier.

    A local High school did a short film about one of my younger brothers..

    https://youtu.be/6l6mgZcxi4U

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  • From Ogg@21:4/106.21 to Barmed on Sat Jan 16 14:06:00 2021
    Hello Barmed!

    ** On Friday 15.01.21 - 03:42, Barmed wrote to All:

    With all of the doom and gloom we are seeing, I thought
    people might lije to see something happier.

    That reflects the same kind of movement that has been instigated
    in my town.

    For some people "shop local" is a sudden realization that yeah..
    the local dollars *do* support the community that one shops in.

    For others it's - meah. They just want the product the cheapest
    and fastest by any means necessary.


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  • From The Godfather@21:1/165 to Ogg on Sat Jan 16 21:21:36 2021
    That reflects the same kind of movement that has been instigated
    in my town.
    For some people "shop local" is a sudden realization that yeah..
    the local dollars *do* support the community that one shops in.
    For others it's - meah. They just want the product the cheapest
    and fastest by any means necessary.

    Ogg,

    This Christmas I bought all local for my daughter and wife's gifts. And if we do order door dash or equivalent, we are sure to choose a local restaurant. I thing some are opening up to the idea more, knowing how small businesses are struggling, and some being "blessed" to work for corporations in the comfort of their own homes. A lot of times I don't know a company exists until I see them highlighted on the local news. Not sure if they have that for you where you are, however might be a neat thing to reach out to them to see if you can get on a list and/or if they do daily "shop local" segments, letting them know you exist. Just food for thought.

    -tG

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  • From Barmed@21:4/127 to Ogg on Sun Jan 17 00:38:46 2021
    On 16 Jan 2021, Ogg said the following...
    That reflects the same kind of movement that has been instigated
    in my town.

    My brother originally opened his place to more or less promote local (or
    Texas) craft breweries in The Spring Branch area, where my family has lived since he was 6-7. There are probably 100 or more sych places in the Houston area, but none really in Spring Branch. Actually, that area has been in decline for a long time, but is trying to 'revitalize.'

    He apparently had made a name for himself in some trendy bars around
    towntown, so took a chance when a restaurant building became available.

    His business is no doubt struggling now, but he still spend a lot of time promoting other local food establishments on his company social media.

    For some people "shop local" is a sudden realization that yeah..
    the local dollars *do* support the community that one shops in.

    For others it's - meah. They just want the product the cheapest
    and fastest by any means necessary.


    I can see both view points. If there is something I need, I try to find a
    local source, but unfortunately, the local stores in my area don't carry my needs or wants. I'm in an odd area that's kind if a mix of near rural and industrial, surrounded by the city.

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  • From Ogg@21:4/106.21 to The Godfather on Wed Jan 27 01:31:00 2021
    Hello Doug!

    ** On Saturday 16.01.21 - 16:21, The Godfather wrote to Ogg:

    ..A lot of times I don't know a company exists until I see
    them highlighted on the local news. Not sure if they have
    that for you where you are, however might be a neat thing
    to reach out to them to see if you can get on a list and/or
    if they do daily "shop local" segments, letting them know
    you exist. Just food for thought.

    Yes.. even after represented in my town for 27 years, some
    people have told me "hey, I didn't know there was a bookstore."

    But I don't buy it.

    The town is small. People talk. My shop may not have "BOOKS"
    printed in big letters across the storefront anymore, but the
    product in the window should be a big clue.

    I feature the original sign the shop used in front of the
    business during its first 18 years of business in the main
    banner at my website, http://ashlies.ca

    I still have the original sign, but it wouldn't fit properly on
    the new building. Instead, if you google "books bancroft
    ontario" you should find a google-biz album of images via "See
    photos". One of the first images is what the store looks like
    on the outside, now.

    Anyway.. I have advertised in the paper from time to time with a
    1/8th ad. I even had a radio spot once (and once was enough
    considering the cost).

    The profit margins simply do not warrant regular radio or print
    advertising. I'll do a Christmas ad (I think of it as basically
    supporting another local business) ..but that's about it.

    OH.. there *was* a fine quarterly cottage/country magazine that
    I advertised in. THAT one was worth the exposure. But since
    this covid sh*t, magazine has not rolled out future issues.

    There was a modest "shop local" incentive just before Christmas
    that people responded to. But now, it's dead once again.

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  • From Warpslide@21:3/110 to Ogg on Wed Jan 27 13:32:37 2021
    On 26 Jan 2021, Ogg said the following...

    The town is small. People talk. My shop may not have "BOOKS"
    printed in big letters across the storefront anymore, but the
    product in the window should be a big clue.

    Anyway.. I have advertised in the paper from time to time with a
    1/8th ad. I even had a radio spot once (and once was enough
    considering the cost).

    I used to work at a local computer shop years ago. There was this greasy spoon breakfast place not too far away that had placemats with advertisements printed on them. My boss at the time was a, how should I put this, frugal man, and my paycheque reflected that.

    He decided for some reason to put an ad on these placemats, but only for one month, to see how it went. That certainly increased the foot traffic.

    One gentleman I was helping with his computer told me he had lived in the neighbourhood for 12 years and never knew we were there.

    Doesn't exactly help advertising on placemats in the age of covid, but something to keep in mind once we get back to normal.


    Jay

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  • From Barmed@21:4/127 to Warpslide on Wed Jan 27 14:47:00 2021
    On 27 Jan 2021, Warpslide said the following...
    I used to work at a local computer shop years ago. There was this
    greasy spoon
    breakfast place not too far away that had placemats with advertisements printed
    on them. My boss at the time was a, how should I put this, frugal man, and my paycheque reflected that.
    He decided for some reason to put an ad on these placemats, but only for one month, to see how it went. That certainly increased the foot
    traffic.
    One gentleman I was helping with his computer told me he had lived in
    the neighbourhood for 12 years and never knew we were there.
    Doesn't exactly help advertising on placemats in the age of covid, but something to keep in mind once we get back to normal.

    There is also online options. I'm looking atva webpage now called Nextdoor. It's done by commuties I believe and has local businesses sections. I'm not sure if that's just a US thing or not, but it's an option.

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  • From tallship@21:2/104 to Warpslide on Wed Jan 27 13:56:55 2021
    On 27 Jan 2021, Warpslide said the following...

    Doesn't exactly help advertising on placemats in the age of covid, but something to keep in mind once we get back to normal.


    Excellent and optimistic outlook for the future :)

    Thanks for that!

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  • From Adept@21:2/108 to Ogg on Thu Jan 28 00:22:31 2021
    There was a modest "shop local" incentive just before Christmas
    that people responded to. But now, it's dead once again.

    I assume they're all closed at the moment, if they exist, but your message
    made me wonder how common locally-owned bookstores are in Germany.

    I'm only aware of things like Thalia and Hugendubel, neither of which are small. Same for anything that's in a Hauptbahnhof (central station, but
    they're special in Germany).

    Mind you, it's hard to buy things there, since it takes me a _long_ time to
    go through anything in German.

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  • From Adept@21:2/108 to Barmed on Thu Jan 28 00:39:08 2021
    There is also online options. I'm looking atva webpage now called Nextdoor. It's done by commuties I believe and has local businesses sections. I'm not sure if that's just a US thing or not, but it's an option.

    They've expanded elsewhere, but it's not a reliable thing outside the US, I think.

    E.g., I signed up for it here in Germany, and there may have been a person
    who signed up for it in my neighborhood at some point in the past, but
    there's nothing useful on there.

    Though I don't know how much I can see of things that are slightly further away.

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  • From Ogg@21:4/106.21 to Adept on Fri Feb 5 03:29:00 2021
    Hello Adept!

    ** On Wednesday 27.01.21 - 19:22, Adept wrote to Ogg:

    There was a modest "shop local" incentive just before
    Christmas that people responded to. But now, it's dead
    once again.

    I assume they're all closed at the moment, if they exist,
    but your message made me wonder how common locally-owned
    bookstores are in Germany.

    Legally, there is no instruction to any business *not* to
    operate. That is a big misconception here. After a long diatribe
    of restrictions for "essential businesses", the end of the
    proclamation states that a business may operate as long as it
    can do online, curbside, by-appointment, delivery and/or limit
    the body-count within the retail space based on formula they
    provide.

    However, the average consumer "thinks" that some shops are not
    essential, so they must be closed (or locked up).

    I'm only aware of things like Thalia and Hugendubel, neither
    of which are small. Same for anything that's in a
    Hauptbahnhof (central station, but they're special in
    Germany).

    No small book shops at all, even in the touristy sections?

    Mind you, it's hard to buy things there, since it takes me a
    _long_ time to go through anything in German.

    Your German must be getting better, no? Is your work conducted
    in English?

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  • From Adept@21:2/108 to Ogg on Sat Feb 6 15:13:27 2021
    proclamation states that a business may operate as long as it
    can do online, curbside, by-appointment, delivery and/or limit
    the body-count within the retail space based on formula they
    provide.

    I suppose I was aware of that one (aside from the body-count within the
    retail space bit, as that one surprises me for non-essential businesses), but curbside or by-appointment likely involve an uncomfortable conversation, possibly by phone, and generally that's not worth it for me. Even in English.

    Online I'll happily use, but I just don't know the businesses in the area, or else don't have the appropriate want/need for something.

    No small book shops at all, even in the touristy sections?

    I'm not sure how tourist-y Muenster is. But there are various busy spots, and I'm aware of a bookstore or two that _might_ not be a chain, but might just
    be a chain I haven't heard of.

    It's one of those things where I'd probably know more if I were spending days wandering around in and around various parts of the city.

    Who knows how much of that I would have done without the pandemic, but I just don't know the city that well.

    Certainly, I know it better than I did six months ago when I didn't know
    where the Aasee was, but that's not saying _all_ that much.

    Your German must be getting better, no? Is your work conducted
    in English?

    Work is in English, yes. My German is getting better, but my usage is still mostly in (sort of) reading newspapers, magazines, and occasional messages.
    And maybe occasionally understanding what the store clerk is telling me to do.

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  • From Oli@21:3/102 to Adept on Sat Feb 6 18:01:50 2021
    Adept wrote (2021-02-06):

    I'm not sure how tourist-y Muenster is. But there are various busy spots, and I'm aware of a bookstore or two that _might_ not be a chain, but
    might just be a chain I haven't heard of.

    What are the names of the bookstores? You usually find a couple of smaller independent bookstores in every bigger city. These are the big ones:

    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchhandel#Umsatzst%C3%A4rkste_Buchhandelsunternehmen_im_deutschsprachigen_Raum

    ---
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  • From Adept@21:2/108 to Oli on Sun Feb 7 13:39:32 2021
    What are the names of the bookstores?

    To be fair, the one I'm thinking of I know as, "the place by the thing that's like a little-free-library bus shelter" and I don't know the name.

    Looking at maps, it looks like it's "Medium Buchmarkt GmbH", which is
    probably one of the more forgetable names I've seen.

    You usually find a couple of smaller independent bookstores in every bigger city.

    Yeah. I assume they exist, and it really is more a matter of looking at maps and making trips or checking out websites.

    But I haven't been making trips, and haven't had enough of a need to check
    out web sites (since, aside from finding a comic book store, there's probably not a lot that'd be at an enjoyably-readable level for me. And the newsstand _does_ have some kids' comic books, but I've already searched as well as possible for newsstand-type places.)

    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchhandel#Umsatzst%C3%A4rkste_Buchhandelsun men_im_deutschsprachigen_Raum

    That is pretty interesting, though I do wonder how much has changed since
    2008. I'm guessing not a whole lot, since, e.g., Hugendubel talks about being founded in 1893.

    Anyway, I looked on Google Maps, and see a few bookstores, many with "temporarily closed" on them. But, really, this is exploration that I'm just not doing because of a variety of reasons. I haven't really even tried being much of a tourist, yet, either, other than taking a couple of pictures and buying a guide book.

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