living local
Elissa Hillary is executive director of Local First, a nonprofit organization supporting locally owned businesses in West Michigan.
> Carrettino Italian Market & Wine: Looking for the perfect wine for your holiday meal? Let John Russo and his family select one for you at this store stocked with regional Italian groceries, meats and cheeses. The store is located in the Town & Country Plaza, 4301 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. > Rylee’s Ace Hardware: In addition to hardware, Rylee’s expanded housewares department at its Grand Rapids location, 1234 Michigan St. NE, features a wide array of tabletop accessories, dishware, cookware, turkey fryers, etc. > UbU Furniture: Sprucing up your home before you host? UbU (You-Be-You), a locally created, owned and operated store in RiverTown Crossings mall, offers a wide selection of furniture, rugs and accessories for your home.
American tradition, local flavor thaNksgiviNg has alwaYs been my favorite holiday. It is one of few American traditions that tie us to a seasonal local diet. You won’t find kiwis or avocados on most Thanksgiving menus. While my family loves those items, they aren’t part of our holiday meal. They definitely weren’t trucked across the country when the Mayflower pilgrims sat down for dinner at Plymouth Rock, and they just as certainly weren’t ingredients my grandmother included in her recipes. Instead, you’ll find relish made from fresh cranberries, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing — and wine. And the meal wouldn’t be complete without a slice of homemade apple or pumpkin pie. All of these ingredients come from Michigan. Not only is Thanksgiving a celebration of family and food, it’s also a reminder to slow down and think about the things for which we’re grateful. In the last couple of years, the people at some of our local businesses have made it on my list, earning a special place in my heart for their excellent customer service. Last year, in an effort to remind our family of the supreme quality and flavor of locally raised meats, my husband and I offered to bring the turkey to Thanksgiving dinner.
Unfortunately, when my husband went to pick it up from the butcher, he’d forgotten his wallet. Instead of having him return with cash (and delay our trip), Byron Center Meats encouraged him to take the turkey and call back later with his credit card number. Each year, we also host a gathering at Thanksgiving time for our college friends. Two years ago, a shower of sparks rained down on my
High-level customer service sets locally owned businesses apart. Whether you’re buying a turkey or purchasing a piece of hardware, think local first. husband as he was installing a new chandelier an hour before our guests were to arrive. With no time to waste, I went to Rylee’s Ace Hardware to purchase a missing electrical piece. Instead of wandering around and trying to figure out what I needed, I handed my cell phone to one of the customer service reps. My husband talked him through the issue, the Rylee’s rep helped me locate the critical piece, and I was on my way in a matter of minutes, leaving plenty of time to have our house in order before our friends arrived. This high-level customer service sets locally owned businesses apart. Whether you’re buying a turkey or purchasing a piece of hardware, think local first — you’ll be grateful you did. — eliSSa Hillary
PhotoGraPhy by michael buck
these loCal busiNesses CaN helP with Your thaNksgiviNg PreParatioNs: > Byron Center Meats: It’s not too late to order your turkey! Locally owned for nearly 70 years, Byron Center Meats at 8375 Freeland Ave. in Byron Center is a full-service butcher shop offering a wide array of locally raised meats.
UbU Furniture
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