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Publisher’s Note arlier this year, the Ocala Style team collectively penned our mission statement, which includes the manifestation of our beliefs and aspirations as a community magazine: We want to create a close-knit, diverse community where there is a generosity of spirit and richness to life, where people feel neighborly and where they are willing to join with others to build the community. With this intention at heart, our idea for a Stay Local-themed issue was born. No matter our individual socioeconomic status, we each impact our economy daily with our buying decisions, whether it’s as small as buying a cup of coffee or a larger decision such as where we bank or buy a car. In this issue, we discuss the impact that locally owned businesses and corporately owned chains have on our local economy. It’s an economic consideration important to all of us, because the money returned to our local economy can bring good returns when it flows back to the businesses that supply our respective livelihoods or supports the causes we hold dear.
You’d probably agree that most of us are especially fond of Ocala’s independently owned businesses because they give our community its distinct personality. One of the reasons I personally love local businesses is because they make development and service choices that help shape the community they want to live in. For example, my local bank president who makes time to answer my questions also rolls up his shirt sleeves to teach local kids in the 4-H program and grant microloans to them so they can participate. My favorite local restaurant owners step up time and again with their talents to support charities that serve the needs of our community. The local developer building a residential community is thinking about the community as much as making the project aesthetically pleasing, because they live here too. My favorite local shop for gifts will open early or stay late, if they know I’m in need and dealing with a time crunch. My next vehicle will come from a locally owned dealer who has supported our local YMCA so much that Ocala can claim we have one of the strongest in the state—if not the entire Southeast. These local businesses not only provide quality products and service to their neighbors, they position themselves as champions and facilitators of our community’s ideal way of life. Before becoming a publisher, I worked for two decades as a paralegal in the Ft. Lauderdale, Gainesville and Ocala markets, and I have to say Marion County is home to an impressive caliber of legal expertise. For that reason, we continued the local theme with our legal section this month by including local lawyers. With the breadth of knowledge and trial advocacy in our community, it is downright silly to go out of market for representation in most cases. The lawyers who know the community and those making the decisions are going to deliver the best results for their clients, contrary to whatever claims you might read on those billboards. I’d like to close this month’s letter by thanking all the businesses that support our community magazine through advertising and by making space in their establishments for our racks. It is because of your support that we are able to chronicle all the wonderful aspects—of our area and our people—that make our neck of the woods so special. It’s our honor to support you in return.
Jennifer Hunt-Murty Publisher