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Comptroller pushes for local holiday gift-buying
Friday, Dec. 11, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by EMILY BARNES
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot picks out a gift with the help of Anne Wright, assistant store manager at Candy Clark Boutique, as he visits small businesses in La Plata on Dec. 4 as part of a campaign to convince holiday shoppers to patronize local stores.
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La Plata received its own little economic stimulus package when Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot came to town to visit gift shops last week.
The visit was one of several Franchot is making to shopping districts in Maryland towns to encourage consumers to patronize local businesses when buying presents this year.
"Get off the Internet and avoid national franchises. Patronize small, independent businesses in the communities where you live. … In these hard times, let's help out folks who are the backbone of the economy and community," Franchot told officials who had joined him on his Dec. 4 retail pilgrimage.
Seventy percent of money spent at small businesses remains in the community, compared with 30 percent at large chain stores, Franchot estimated.
First stop was Candy Clark Boutique, a store stocking women's clothing and accessories, where the comptroller gamely admired designer dresses and beaded necklaces.
"What a great store," Franchot said.
"It's a lovely store," said Anne Wright, assistant store manager.
He finally settled on a piece by Kathy Katz of Port Tobacco.
"I got some wonderful earrings for my wife made by a local artist. Thank you very much. I think Annie will really like these," he said.
Next up was Joson's Fine Jewelry & Home Boutique, where his entrance with a small herd of followers took the staff aback.
"Hi, everyone. We're bringing some customers in, if that's OK," Franchot announced.
"That's wonderful," replied store owner Joshua Joson.
After browsing briefly, Franchot bought a $10 Christmas ornament to benefit the local Kiwanis club.
Joson, who has been in business for five years, was grateful for the attention but said the season was already gearing up to be a good one.
"We all try to support one another," Joson said of the business community. "… Last year was a little difficult, with the election, but this year has shown a little bit more positiveness."
On the way to his third and final destination, Franchot was greeted by a friend, former state delegate Van T. Mitchell, who opened the back door of the restaurant where he was eating lunch to bellow, "Spend some money, will you?" Franchot promised that he would.
Franchot, who was spending his own money during the spree, had limited himself to $20 per gift, but he didn't stick to his budget at House, a home accessories store new this year. For $46, he chose a set of four stone coasters which, placed together, form a map of La Plata, which store owner Audra Gillis wrapped for him in pink tissue paper.
"I'm glad [state Del.] Murray [Levy] wasn't here to see us go over budget. Your secret is safe with us," joked Charles County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Gould.
Before heading out, Franchot stopped by J.P. Ryon Elementary School in Waldorf to tell Lyndsay Kelly's first -grade class that now is the time for their parents to start saving for college.
"After [high school], you're going to go to college, right? We want you have good jobs and stay in Maryland, bring your families up, and you got to go to college to do that. Here's the problem, though: College is very expensive," Franchot said.
He gave them fliers about the College Savings Plans of Maryland to take home.
