“Over the bridge to Wally-World?”

by Debbie Brady Robinson (first pubished in the "Tybee Breeze", Dec. 2008)

It’s that time again, the holidays roll around every year regardless of the economy. Most of us turn our thoughts to gifts for family and friends. This year, perhaps more than most, times are pretty lean. The stock market is down, and the cost of living is up, credit has tightened; what’s the answer. Many will make that well traveled path, over the bridge to… Wally-World! Yes, indeed, Wal-Mart, where our money ends up worlds away from our local economy! This year, why don’t we all make a concentrated effort to support our local businesses; let’s shop with our friends and neighbors, and keep our money at home!

How lucky are we to live in this tiny little island paradise; and yet be so totally self-sufficient! Tybee has nearly every convenience; our own grocery store, three gas station/convenience stores, thirty or so restaurants/places to eat and drink, four churches, our own school, a post office, a Bank, real estate & professional offices, a pharmacy, Doctor, Dentist, two liquor stores (Oops, I should have listed liquor store before Dentist; it’s a prerequisite isn’t it?) Just kidding Dr. Owen! We’ve got a baker, a barber, and a candle stick maker – if you’re wondering where, you haven’t shopped Tybee enough! There are Art Galleries, retail stores and gift shops, a custom frame shop, new Shipping and Packing Center, and so much more! Truth be told, there is actually very little on Tybee that we don’t have! And, if we want it to stay that way, we better all invest our dollars locally!

My husband, Mark, and I have made a personal commitment to try and support the local economy by patronizing our local businesses. When I shop for groceries, for instance, if Tybee Market doesn’t have it, we probably don’t need it! Every Tuesday we attempt to slip in a little “date day” time. It used to be dinner and a movie across the bridge, but rarely now do we dine off the island. When we do, we try to dine in establishments owned by our friends and neighbors!

Mark and I are definitely planning to “spread the wealth” on Tybee this holiday season; including every restaurant on the island, but to do that, we need your help. A challenge to all my friends in the restaurant business; you shop with me, and I’ll eat with you – and I’ve been doing a fair amount of “that”, lately! Purchase a new building just prior to a real estate bust, operate a retail business in a struggling economy, and suffer through menopause – and you’ll find yourself a very well-rounded person… just like the ‘Pillsbury Doughboy’! :)