Get connected Building community around your store

EIOR generations. the hardware

L' store was a focal point in the community, where folks could get great advice, discuss the issues of the day, or catch up on the latest gossip.

Obviously, things have changed as big box retailers have muscled in and literally changed the landscape. And it seems the bigger "the box," the less community connectedness.

In contrast to that disturbing trend, a recent report from Conscientious Innovation, a sustainability think tank, found that consumers ranked feeling connected to family and community as their most important sustainability issue. Also ranking high was the desire to support locally owned businesses. These results lead to an important insight: Forging deep connections within your local community just may be one of the greenest ways you can grow your business.

Last month we talked about things you can do to "green up" your store's operations, suggesting that offering CFL, battery and paint recycling provides a valuable community service. Recycling programs provide convenience to your customers, but deliver something more important to your community. By diverting toxic waste from the local landfill where it can leach into the ground water, you demonstrate a concern about the health and well being of your patrons.

But to get really connected with your community, you've got to get involved. Contact your local green building organization (it might be a city agency or a local nonprofit), call them on the phone as soon as you've finished this article, go to their meetings, and let them know you want to be involved. This will get you access to valuable know how and help you connect with local green building leaders.

Most cities with green building programs embrace interested retailers and will even include them in promotions. The city of San Francisco recently took out ads in the local paper promoting the local hardware stores stocking green building products.

By Jay Tompl

build long-lasting relationships.

There are probably other organizations in your area that are focused on protecting local watersheds and bays or wilderness areas. Find out what your staff members are interested in and encourage them to get involved, too.

You should also consider participating in local green events where you can educate community members about what your store is doing to make less toxic, environmentally friendly, and resource-conserving choices available.

Better yet, host a green event at your store. If you've gone out and developed relationships with local green building and other sustainability organizations, you should find no shortage of enthusiastic help. Enlist the aid of your local green product manufacturers and distributors as well. After all, they are an important part of your community, too.

But don't stop with green building, connect with other nonprofit organizations. If your store is locally owned, join the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (www.livingeconomies.com). BALLE's mission is about building community through local business networks. They can help you build the "buy local" advantage in your market. Don't forget to support your local schools and parent groups. Making a small donation of organic compost for the school garden, participating in their fundraisers, sharing information about non-toxic alternatives-those small ways of showing your support will help to

Getting connected with concerned community groups will make you feel good about offering eco-safe and nontoxic alternatives. It will also build your reputation and generate excellent word-of-mouth referrals, bringing new appreciative customers into your store. You can do good and do well, and that's what getting connected is all about.

- Jay Tompt is vice president of green product development at Plan-It Hardware, San Francisco, Ca., which distributes green products for hardware and home improvement stores throughout California, and a leading expert in sustainable business and supply chain issues. He can be reached at info@plan-ithardware.com or (415) 359-9914.

OSH Replaces Last H&E

H&E Home Centers has closed its final location and Orchard Supply Hardware will take over the Hesperia, Ca.. location.

Over the Iast l2 months. H&E closed its four other stores in Southern California's High Desert ( see December, page J4l, leaving only the l9-year-old unit in Hesperia, its newest and most profitable location.

San Jose. Ca.-based OSH had been considering a site in Hcsperia fbr 18 months when it learned H&E's build-

OldWorld

ing would become available. OSH will hire some former H&E employees and remodel the structure in time for an August 2 opening.

Creditors Stall Pnlco Sale

Unhappy lenders who are holding $714 million of bonded debt related to bankrupt Pacific Lumber Co. are holding up a reorganization plan that recently received preliminary approval.

Led by the Bank of New York Trust Co.. the lenders contend that the worth of their collateral-200.000