Join Schneider in Honoring Our Local Champions: Small Business Celebration!
Today marks an extraordinary occasion—Small Business Saturday! It’s a day that shines a spotlight on the very heart and soul of our communities: small businesses. This is a time to honor the dreamers and doers—the brave souls who have taken risks to bring their unique visions to life. These entrepreneurs are the pulse of our local economy, infusing our downtown with vibrancy and character. Yet, amid the celebration, a local publication chose to focus on a few businesses that have closed their doors.
It’s disheartening. While it’s true that not every small business survives—whether in bustling cities or quiet neighborhoods—it’s an inherent part of the entrepreneurial journey. Starting and nurturing a business is no small feat, and that’s why they deserve our unwavering support, especially today when we should be lifting them up!
Let’s face it: negativity seems to be the easiest route these days, even in journalism. We should be using our voices to spotlight the magic of Window Wonderland, the joy of supporting local entrepreneurs, and the incredible resilience our downtown community has shown while bouncing back from the pandemic. Today, let’s choose a different narrative! Let’s celebrate the spirit of downtown and the countless small businesses that make it uniquely ours.
The success of downtown Fargo has driven tourism, sparked economic growth, and enhanced our overall quality of life. The dream of small business is alive and thriving, but if we don’t rally behind them—through both our words and actions—we risk returning to a stagnant past. Together, we can ensure our community continues to thrive.
Join me in celebrating and uplifting the new downtown Fargo businesses that have opened their doors this past year, each adding a unique thread to our community’s tapestry:
- Lulu’s Deli
- Chalili’s Chicken & Wings
- The 1889
- Moonrise Café
- Synclaire Events Center
- Rising Dawn Ceramics
- Drawing Room Fargo
- Mooreoki
- Magnolia Soap
- Primp Boutique
- Yum Tea Bar
- Mystic Moth
- Tee’s Tacos
- Ferguson Books
- Cul-De-Sac
- Las Palmas
Additionally, many beloved businesses have expanded or relocated to downtown Fargo, including Proper, O’Day Cache, Orange Records, Paradox Comics-n-Cards, Thread, and Bell Bank.
Downtown Fargo can be both vibrant and need our support—these are not mutually exclusive goals! Like any community, we face challenges, including homelessness, which is a statewide issue. While the visibility of these problems may be more pronounced downtown, it’s a community-wide concern that we are committed to managing.
Despite these hurdles, downtown Fargo is blossoming into a cultural hub where businesses, both new and established, work hard every single day to deliver an experience like no other. This is why we need to choose positivity and collaboration over negativity.
This Small Business Saturday, let’s focus on the amazing people who make Fargo truly special rather than fixating on imperfections. I invite you to come downtown today and every day. Shop local, engage with the passionate individuals behind the counters, and soak in the charm and culture that give Fargo its unique glow. And yes, let’s continue to tackle the challenges we face, but let’s also celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made!
