Editorials
Destination Downtown is a great move for Sebring
Highlands Today
Published: May 9, 2012
It's always impressive when merchants decide to make something happen and put all their effort into making it a success.Published: May 9, 2012
That's what's happening with Destination Downtown Sebring. Participating merchants are conjuring up innovative ways to bring people downtown and we believe there will be a big payoff in the end.
All downtown merchants can join, but so far only six are members. Our hats are off to those six, though, and others need to jump in as well. They aren't resting on their laurels. They are doing their best to make downtown vibrant.
Monthly events are bringing people downtown. Older events are being reconsidered, tweaked and made more appealing for a broader audience. Nothing is off the board and great ideas keep coming. This is exactly what's needed.
This kind of effort is not easy, though. It takes strong business leaders to make it work and to keep it going. We hope people keep turning out for these monthly events. Everyone wants a revitalized downtown, but getting people off the highway is no easy task. The merchants believe if they can just get people down there, local businesses can thrive.
The bottom line is getting locals and out-of-towners to buy locally. The money spent buying goods from local merchants anywhere in the area greatly benefits everyone.
It's money that circulates throughout the community. Our local restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets all provide employment and that money continues to move to benefit construction, real estate and everyone else.
These efforts are important for everyone living here and can be just as successful in other local communities. It's not easy, of course. It never is, but we have no other alternative.
Kudos to the members of Destination Downtown Sebring.
They are working hard to make their businesses stronger while improving quality of life. We hope they are successful.