Business highs and lows

Depending on who you ask in Winsted on any given day, you will get different answers about how easy or difficult it is to run a successful business in town. An interesting juxtaposition to illustrate that point appears on Page A3 of this newspaper, where two very different stories appear about local shops — one with a happy ending and one without.The happy story is the news that the Health Food Corner store is celebrating its fifth anniversary in business this month. The organic food, herbs and grains store has been providing Winsted with such treats as raw milk, yoga classes, nutrition talks and herbal teas since owners Bob and Sue Bailey opened the store in the summer of 2006. The store has become a meeting place for people interested in embracing a healthier lifestyle. On July 23, Health Food Corner will host an anniversary celebration, in which free samples and discounts will be offered to all who visit the store.On the more disappointing side of life, Sandy’s Candy Haus, also on Main Street, closed its doors this month after less than a year in business. Interviewed about the failure of the store to catch on, owner Sandra Follett complained that Winsted is “a dead town,” reiterating complaints by other business owners that local people don’t support downtown businesses. Then again, the allure of a candy shop that doesn’t make its own candy is hard to envision, and deciding to open after Valentine’s Day may not have been the wisest move.Still, in many instances, Follett’s complaint rings true. People do not spend enough time downtown supporting local businesses. Even in the summer months, seasonal residents seem to see Winsted as a place to drive through on their way to CVS or Stop & Shop, only making the occasional stop to browse for antiques or pick up a pizza. It is the responsibility of townspeople who want the town to succeed to participate in that success by patronizing downtown stores. As other business owners on Main Street have attested, Winsted residents have shown a great deal of apathy toward the local business community.The bright side of the situation is Winsted’s excellent location at the junction of routes 8 and 44, where traffic from three states converges and never ceases. This town has thousands of cars passing through every day, and the easiest way to get them to stop is to provide a good service or product. Ask the owners of Kent Pizza or Mario’s Restaurant why they stay in business here. It’s because they offer good-quality, consistent products at fair prices. The fact that this equation translates into success should be no surprise. When you’re good, you know it, and you’re not afraid to advertise it.Yes, it is sad to see businesses close their doors, but we are also encouraged when we see new ones open. Instead of lamenting the loss of failed local businesses, we’ll keep celebrating the successes, cheering on Health Food Corner and any other businesss that reminds us the news is not all bad.