Small business challenge

Small business challenge

Written by Beth Wade Wednesday, 07 November 2007

Chamber recommends shopping locally during the holidays

As the holiday shopping season nears, the Greater Pflugerville Chamber of Commerce has begun its Come Home to Shop campaign persuading shoppers to buy locally.

“People need to be sure to be shopping where they live and keep the local economy strong,” said Patricia Gervan-Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Pflugerville Chamber. “There is something called ‘leakage’ and we have too much leakage going on in our local market.”

The chamber supports both locally owned and big business, but encourages small business owners to join the chamber for exposure and networking, Gervan-Brown said.

“Those businesses that are doing well have found their niche market and are doing well because they’ve recognized the market and have good customer service,” Gervan-Brown said.

In Round Rock, shopping locally can mean better product knowledge and customer service, said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock.

“I have my hands in the operation. I work the counter, I work the front and I work with the customers,” Myers said. “I know my toys and I train all of my employees to know them too, so they can give good suggestions. I consider myself a toy expert, a professional.”

Myers store, which sells a selection of toys both educational and developmental, is already in the midst of holiday shopping, she said, and warns last minute customers to begin toy buying earlier this year.

“Normally at this time of year there are pile ups at the docks in California, but this year it is going to be worse because of the fall out from the toy recalls,” Myers said. “Both China and the U.S. stepped up their inspecting and toy testing, as well as the manufacturers to make sure and catch anything that has not been caught yet. What that’s resulted in, though, is a slowdown in manufacturing the toys, getting them shipped and getting them distributed.”

Editor’s Note: As the community grows and residents have more choices for nearby shopping, we feel it is important to recognize the smaller, locally owned businesses.

Many of these businesses succeed or fail by their holiday sales. They also offer diverse and unique items often not found in their larger, corporate counterparts. If your business is one of these smaller stores and we have not listed you, please let us know. We will make sure to include you next year.

A guide to Local Retail

1. 1st Moment Flowers, 4500 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Ste. 114, Round Rock, 671-9222
2. 620 Florist, 1308 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock, 244-2711
3. Adam’s Gift Shop, 409 N. Mays St., Round Rock, 255-7500
4. Allen’s Boots, 2541 S. IH 35, Round Rock, 310-7600
5. Antique Mall, 1601 IH 35, Ste. 400, Round Rock, 671-7467
6. Apricot Lane, 4401 IH 35, Ste. 820, Round Rock, 931-2040
7. Atex Family Fun Center, 907C N. IH 35, Round Rock, 341-7742
8. The Bead Choice, 1101 Pecan St., Ste. 3, Pflugerville, 989-1110
9. Beyond the Red Door and Silk Cocoon, 106 S Mays St., Ste. 100, Round Rock, 246-9908
10. Blackhawk Golf Club, , pro shop, 2714 Kelly Lane, Pflugerville, 251-9000
11. Bloomin’ Across Texas , 15307 FM 1825, Pflugerville, 251-2268
12. Canvas Press , 525 Round Rock West Drive, Ste. A150, Round Rock, 828-5553
13. Ceramic Lodge, 18 Chisholm Trail, Round Rock, 248-2100
14. Ceramics and More, 101A W. Pecan St., Pflugerville, 252-2243
15. Chisholm Station Trains, 901 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, 255-5832
16. Changes Salon & Day Spa, 110 S. Harris St., Round Rock, 733-7777
17. Circle in a Square Pottery, 3742 CR 123, Round Rock, 246-Fire
18. Danny Ray’s Music, 1920 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, 671-8663
19. Diva Valentine, 306 W. Main Ave., Round Rock, 731-5807
20. DogBoy’s Dog Ranch,, gift shop, 2615 Crystal Bend Drive, Pflugerville, 251-7600
21. E & R Clothing , and Accessories, 15608 Springhill Lane, Ste.109, Pflugerville, 990-3402
22. Envy Salon, 117 E. Main Ave., Round Rock, 310-1114
23. Estrada’s Music, 1401 S. IH 35, Round Rock, 310-2044
24. Flowers & Frills, Inc. , 103A W. Pecan St., Pflugerville, 251-8869
25. Forest Creek Golf Club,, gift shop, 99 Twin Ridge Parkway, Round Rock, 388-2874
26. Formosa Art Tea House, 200 E. Pecan St., Ste. 5, Pflugerville, 989-8678
27. Gaddy’s True Value, 403 FM 685, Pflugerville, 251-4611
28. Gage Furniture, 130 Sundance Parkway, Round Rock, 600-0046
29. Grapevine Market, 2400 S. IH 35, Ste. 190, Round Rock, 248-9933
30. Hard Drive Golf, 2851 A.W. Grimes Blvd. , Round Rock, 248-9191
31. Hockey & More Store , Next Door, 15501 N. FM 620, Round Rock, 716-1980
32. I Spy , 1701 Red Bud Lane, Round Rock, 341-8404
33. J & M Jewelers, 110 N. IH 35, Round Rock, 733-5006
34. Jewelry Place, 200 E. Pecan St., Ste. 4, Pflugerville, 990-1015
35. Kaleidoscope Toys, 1601 S. IH 35, Round Rock, 388-5048
36. Keria Teas, 204 E. Main Ave., Round Rock, 255-3742
37. Oo La La, 403 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville, 990-8677
38. Lammes Candies, 110 N. IH 35, Ste. 150, Round Rock, 388-1885
39. Moon Dance , 3720 Gattis School Road, Round Rock, 716-1020
40. Mustache Skateboards, 1011 Gattis School Road, , Ste. 100, Round Rock, 535-0745
41. Nelda’s Boutique, 1101 W. Pecan St., Ste.11, Pflugerville, 252-2225
42. Ninja Pirates, 100 S. 12th St., Pflugerville, 251-0110
43. Old Prague Market, 117 E. Main St., Pflugerville, 251-7330
44. Old Settler’s General Store, 3250 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, 431-2894
45. The Party Image, 109 E. Main St., Round Rock, 218-9390
46. Pagel & Sons Jewelers, 1110 N. IH 35, Round Rock, 388-4653
47. Partners Pet Center, 1701 S. Mays St., Ste. Q, Round Rock, 255-3351
48. Pipe World, 115 Sundance Parkway, , Ste. 505, Round Rock, 388-4300
49. Piranha Records, 1208 N. IH 35, Ste. E, Round Rock, 238-0418
50. Pflugerville Country , Gift Gallery, 301 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville, 251-5329
51. Pflugerville Floral Design, 1202 FM 685, Ste. B1, Pflugerville, 252-2105
52. Pfun D-Lites, 791-9424
53. Q & T Jewelry, 220 Sundance Parkway, Ste. 404, Round Rock, 733-9120
54. The Railyard Express , Retail Store, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, 255-2255
55. Rogue’s Gallery, 1601 S. IH 35, Ste.360, Round Rock, 279-8888
56. Round Rock Army Store, 2001 N. Mays St., Ste.7, Round Rock , 246-7033
57. Round Rock Hobbies, 1601 S. IH 35, Ste. 390, Round Rock, 733-1224
58. Scent-sations Gourmet Candles, 7711 O’Connor, Ste. 701, Round Rock, 244-0835
59. Scrapbook Fever, 1208-X N. IH 35, Round Rock, 244-7277
60. Simply Suzi , 1700 E. Palm Valley Blvd.,, Ste. 470, Round Rock, 246-0808
61. Snapdragon Flowers ‘N Such, 210 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock, 255-6158
62. Star Ranch Golf Club, , gift shop, 2500 FM 685, Hutto, 252-4653
63. Sweet Love & Sugar Britches, 2000 IH 35, Ste. A5, Round Rock, 255-6602
64. Sue’s Book Exchange, 1205 Round Rock Ave. , Round Rock, 244-9193
65. Teravista Golf Club, , gift shop, 4333 Teravista Club Drive, Round Rock, 651-9850
66. Texas Spice Co. , 2713 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, 260-1712
67. Tiny Bird Organics, 2591 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, 341-0042
68. Turner’s Furniture, 200A E. Main Ave., Round Rock, 255-7416
69. VP Salon & Gifts, 3720 Gattis School Road, Round Rock, 828-5700
70. Wordyisms, Inc., 103 N. Railroad Ave,, Pflugerville, 835-6695
71. Z&M Jewelry Repair, 1800 N. Mays, Ste. 110, Round Rock, 218-1570