Back to Best

  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact

Buy Local From the Little Shop on the Corner : The Reading Reptile

December 6, 2010

I love Amazon.com as much as the next gal, but when it comes to quality customer service, attention to detail, and small businesses dedicated to differentiating themselves, I’ll happily shop locally. Over the weekend, we did just that by celebrating the girls’ fifth birthday at a nearby bookstore called “The Reading Reptile.”  While talking with one of the other moms, we agreed it reminds us of the Little Shop on the Corner from the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movie “You’ve Got Mail.” Deb, the owner, was in charge of the “Arty Party.” Uber-organized and efficient, she’d memorized all the kids’ names within a matter of minutes. She read them stories (all sat and listened intently), made clay with them, and then walked everyone through three cool art projects. We finished up with cupcakes the kids got to decorate. A wonderful time was had by all, and it was definitely a memorable morning for Abby & Izzy!

This place is what I imagine Heaven might be like, where characters from mine and my children’s best-loved books come alive in paper-mache all over the place (all made by Deb, the crafty and talented owner!):

Olivia the Pig, one of our favorites
Max, King of the Wild Things!
Frog and Toad
We adore Eloise!
 Go Dog, Go!
Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse
So my message to you today and this holiday season (and beyond)?
Shop locally.
Go where everybody knows your name (kinda like that theme song from “Cheers”).
I don’t want to lose places like Reading Reptile that make my city what it is—unique and amazing.
What is your “Little Shop on the Corner?” Do you support your local merchants?


Filed Under: Green Living, Home + Family

Who is Erin?

I’m a mama of twin girls plus one. I’m a writer, an editor, and social media manager for hire.

Read More

Latest Musings

  • The Thing I Didn’t Know I Needed
  • Before You Left or After You Left
  • How To Lose a Grown-Ass Woman in Ten Steps
  • My Top Ten Commandments
  • We Grew Up in a Really Small Town.

The Social Stuff

facebookinstagramtwitter
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

Maya Angelou

I’m Attending

Some of My Favorite Causes

 

  • Being Black at School

Search

Copyright © 2021 • Erin Best • Site Customization by Arts Assistance • Contact