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Small Town Living

1/17/2020

17 Comments

 
PictureRoxie
As Tara and I sat down at the beginning of this fresh, new year to work our blog schedule and 2020 goals for The Southern Merc, we quickly realized that a common theme was coming together in our thoughts, outlines, and plans.  It is nothing new or mind-blowing, or even surprising.  We love our small town, and we want to do everything in our power to help it grow and prosper. This idea is something we have talked about many times before, but in 2020 we will be sharing with you so much more about the place we call home and the importance of community involvement.  

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​The world seems so smitten these days with television shows and magazine articles that revolve around very talented folks fixing up older homes and opening hip new restaurants in “small” towns or bad neighborhoods. It is very “on-trend” to renovate an older home, start your own small business, or make an investment in a small, struggling town.  My husband and I must have been a little ahead of the game 16 years ago when we began our downtown mission here in Ocilla, Georgia, population 3,400.  On t.v. things seem so simple. Crews swoop in like very creative super heroes, armed with paint samples, a hammer, and some sort of delicious new recipe that involves sriracha or random animal parts, and somehow manage to save the neighborhood and more than likely, the entire town!  While I am extremely thankful for all of the extra marketing regarding shopping small and saving a neighborhood, for most of us on the front lines in the battles of small town saving, life isn’t so glamorous and rarely leads to a prime-time television show, furniture line, cookware and a book deal.  
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A very young Roxie at the front counter.
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A much younger Matt, Roxie, and Ginger who is now 17!
Before this starts to sound terribly “Debbie Downer”, let me get down to my point. There is a world of people out there that are fighting for their communities who receive little, if any, recognition or fame.  These folks are a determined group of people that sacrifice heavily to keep the doors of their small businesses open.  Folks that invest in revitalizing homes in their neighborhoods in an effort to keep their towns clean and safe.  Sweet people that volunteer to help with community clean-up days, mentor kids after school or have decided to become foster parents.  People that are brave enough to put their names on the ballot and run for a city council or commissioner seat. Folks that make an intentional effort to shop small and support their local businesses. I am one of those people, and know lots more of these noble warriors that truly believe in the idea of safe, nurturing, loving, supportive, and successful small towns.  
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So proud of my Fairy God Daughter, Claire for going after a city council seat and winning!
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Members of the DDA, City Council, Ocilla Fire Department and Public Works working together on a clean up project on community day.
​I have written many times about our small little town here in South Georgia.  I have written of its highlights and its short-comings.  I have told of all that I love about it.  I am passionate about preserving its history, while working hard to help it grow and change in a positive and healthy direction.  Over the years I have been involved in the revitalization of a very large old building in our downtown.  I have renovated a small, old home and been a catalyst for change in my neighborhood.  I have served on our chamber board, various committees for downtown events, and chaired our merchants association. I currently serve on our Family Connections board and our Downtown Development Authority,  and am proud to serve alongside my husband who has taken on the role of our mayor, which I can tell you is not an easy or glamorous job!   I am not telling you all of this to toot my own horn or convince you that I am good person.  I am flawed in so many ways and thankful for the grace and guidance of my almighty God!  The picture I am trying to paint for you is the picture of a person who cares.  I have become a bit battle-weary over the years, but I must tell you, just when I am ready to give up the fight,  the Lord sends fresh, young troops to re-ignite the cause!
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​I am sharing all of this with you today, to ask that you make a conscious effort to make some day-to-day changes in your life that will make a great impact on your community.  As you are reading your favorite magazine or watching your favorite HGTV show, remember that there are so many communities and neighborhoods in this country that are struggling to hang on to their rich history, while working hard to fight against poverty and move towards a goal of sustainability and opportunity for the people who live there.  Let the “trend” that is taking over the country become a “movement” that inspires you to get involved in your own community.  There are many simple ways you can start this mind-set change.  Shopping local is the easiest thing you can do to make a great impact.  I know you are probably tired of the "shop local” band wagon, but as a local shop owner I am telling you, this is so important!  Before you make the snap judgment that things are more expensive in the smaller shops or at your local grocery chain; do some research, you might be pleasantly surprised! If some things are a little more expensive, look for coupons or catch the sale.  Or heck, buy them anyway!  Consider the few bucks more you spend on screws at your mom-and-pop hardware store a donation to the cause of saving your community.  Make an effort to always buy gas in your county and get your prescriptions from a local pharmacy (if you are lucky enough to still have one).  Not only are you aiding in the success of your local businesses but you are helping to provide jobs and keeping very important tax dollars at home.  

If you are the owner of a small business, don’t expect your community to shop with you just because they are “supposed” to.  Make sure you are keeping current with what people need and want, offer excellent customer service and get involved in community activities so people know who you are and what you stand for.  It is your responsibility to give your customers a reason to shop local.  

Now, ready to really get down to it and take on some harder tasks? If you are looking to buy your first home, give the fixer upper in the heart of downtown a chance and turn that run down property into a beacon of hope for the whole neighborhood.  If you are constantly discouraged by what seem to be the “lost” youth in your community, get involved in a mentoring program or boys and girls club.  If you don’t have a program like that going already, be open to starting one.  If you have a heart for suffering children, become a foster parent.  If you are not happy with decisions being made by the leaders of your community and think you have something to offer, run for office.  Tired of looking at trash in your park or on your streets?  Organize a community clean-up day, or, just go pick it up!  If you have been bitten by the entrepreneurship bug, start a small business or cottage industry. Find the people in your community that you think are “less fortunate” than you and go meet them.  Walk and talk with the people that are struggling with addiction, pain, homelessness, hunger and poverty.  It will surprise you what comes out of those relationships.  Don’t sit around and get too comfortable and begin to expect that “someone else” will take care of all of those things.  None of these things are “easy” and most of them will require you to give up a Saturday, learn how to use a power tool, or force you to operate out of your comfort zone.  
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More than likely, none of these things will land you a TV show or a book deal.  There will be no fame or glory.  There will be, however, a wonderful sense of fulfillment in knowing that you are doing everything you can to make your community a more vibrant, thriving, safer place!  So, if you find yourself making a pilgrimage to Waco, Texas or Laurel, Mississippi, or off to the PW Mercantile in Oklahoma, be aware that you are passing through a dozen or more other small places that are working just as hard to save their communities.   Pay attention to the world around you, not just the world that is on t.v.

My goal in this life is not to be famous or on TV.  My goal is for my little business to be successful, for my community to prosper and for God to be glorified in all that I do. My hope in sharing these thoughts with you is that you will feel encouraged and empowered to set out and get your hands a little dirty in the work of loving your community!  If all of this sounds overwhelming to you and you are just not sure where to get started, just remember you can always start with one.  Andy Stanley says it over and over and I remind myself of this daily “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone”. 
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Over the next few months, we will be sharing stories about the joys and challenges of running small businesses in small places, more about the importance of shopping local and shopping small, and about the importance of getting involved in community programs.  Don’t worry, we still have lots of delicious recipes headed your way and tips on being a good host or hostess.  Southern hospitality plays a huge role in not only how we live our personal lives, but how we interact with people and the way we run our business.  We have also curated a selection of spring goods that make us so happy and they will be available in the online shop soon!

​To those that have visited our shop, ordered online, read and shared blog posts, interacted on social media, and to those that I know pray for us; thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued love, support and kindness.  Supporting The Southern Mercantile allows us to continue to work hard in our community, to keep our business open to be a place of hope and encouragement to those who enter, and to continue to fight for the success of our small town.  Every purchase you make in our store, at a show, or online is not just a simple purchase of goods.  It is an investment in our local community that helps keep our mission moving in the right direction!  

With love and a grateful heart, Roxie
17 Comments
Deborah Moorman
1/17/2020 05:50:23 pm

Help our community by hiring locally. We had a sweet girl come in the library who was so excited by her first job at the detention center. She has lived here all her life. What a joy to for them to hire a young lady and see her grow and support her community. Thanks Roxie for the inspiration that you give. The shoppes on Cherry Rule!

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Matt Seale
1/27/2020 08:18:57 pm

Thanks for reading Deb and thanks for your kind words!

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Cindy Hester
1/18/2020 08:35:50 am

I love this Roxie!

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Matt Seale
1/27/2020 08:17:47 pm

Thanks for reading Cindy!

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Kaye Clayton McNeill
1/19/2020 08:27:39 am

I truly enjoyed reading this article! God is continuing to use you in mighty ways! I'm thankful for you and your selfishless! It's great that you think outside the box! Matt too!

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Matt Seale
1/27/2020 08:17:07 pm

Thank you Kaye! We miss you terribly but you have left Beech St. I good and capable hands! I am so thankful for your love and encouragement. ❤️❤️❤️ Roxie

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syd blackmarr link
1/20/2020 09:52:48 pm

Roxie, this is so fine and your efforts to help Ocilla thrive are impressive and inspiring. I love the Shoppes and appreciate what your and Matt's leadership has accomplished for my hometown. I am concerned however about the Detention Center. I have visited a detainee there and have friends who are helping deserving women there. Is there a local church or citizens group involved?

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Matt Seale link
1/27/2020 08:15:41 pm

Hi Syd! You are always so sweet to encourage and support what we are doing. I am not sure if there are any organizations that are involved at the detention center but that is definitely a worthwhile cause and I will ask around! -Roxie

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Lauri Jo Bennett
1/27/2020 07:12:43 pm

Wow!! Such inspiring words!! I think I’m going to check in the morning and see what some things are we need doing in my small town!!

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Matt Seale
1/27/2020 08:13:37 pm

Thanks for reading Lori Jo! I know your community has already been blessed by your efforts! Roxie

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Mandy Bryant
1/27/2020 07:58:21 pm

Hi Roxie, Great words of encouragement. I am trying to give more back since Dusty passed. He always encouraged me to join community activities, etc. I hope he can see that I am trying to do that. I have become a CASA for Irwin County foster children, joined Pilots International, and of course started The James Dustin Vassey Writing Scholarship for Irwin Seniors with the help of generous contributions. Down the road in Irwinville, I am working on some property improvements that will take some time, but I hope the community benefits from them. The brick house at the caution light will be something to watch in the future with the help of the Irwinville Benson crew. Here is to us all doing our part to make things better for our community! Mandy

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Matt Seale
1/27/2020 08:12:36 pm

Thank you Mandy! So glad you read the blog and so glad you are doing so much for our little community. The CASA program especially is such an amazing way to show love and support to those who really need it. Dusty was one of my most favorite human beings. He loved this community so much. He was so faithful to attend as many meetings, sporting events, and community activities as he could. He did this community a great service by keeping everyone informed with such a pure and honest perspective. It is rare to be able to share and disagree with each other but to also be able to appreciate differences and alternative opinions and that is the kind of friendship Dusty and I had. I loved him dearly and my heart aches anytime I see his name or picture go by. Matt and I both cherished our times with him and he did leave such a legacy. I think you are so amazing for picking up the torch in your own way and doing what you can to better your home. Thank you for your kind words. ❤️❤️❤️ Roxie

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Daves and Kathy Steed
1/31/2020 07:13:40 pm

Roxie your thoughtful insights are inspiring and encouraging! Please keep up the blog. We believe in you and Matt and what you give back to your community.

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Matt Seale
1/31/2020 07:26:09 pm

Thanks so much! Miss you guys, hope to see you soon! -Roxie

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Tonya Cooper
2/26/2020 11:17:55 pm

Such awesome & inspiring words Roxie! I have admired your style & shop for years now. You have truly summed up so many vital components required for small town sustainability. It takes a village! God gave us all unique talents to share~
Thankful you are sharing yours! Entrepreneurship is certainly not for the faint of heart! Many do not understand the rippling impact of purchasing goods & services locally. Thanks so much for all you do. Both you & Matt are appreciated. Ocilla is fortunate to have you!

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Matt Seale
2/26/2020 11:49:24 pm

Thanks for reading Tonya! Always good to see you in the store!

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Julie McCranie
8/10/2020 05:26:58 pm

I love Ocilla and the Shoppe’s. You are near and dear to my heart. Wish I was there to support you more. See you in Perry in a few weeks!

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