All the “dollar store” news in Wiscasset this year has met mostly the same response from our readers.
With a few exceptions, readers say they do not want more “dollar” stores, especially the kind with “dollar” in the name that actually charge much more than a dollar for their goods.
They see Big Al’s as the only bargain store they need and make suggestions about what they would like to see in Wiscasset instead.
Well, Wiscasset now has its own farmers market, and it’s time for people who want to see more local businesses to practice what they preach.
The Dollar Tree was once a local grocery store. Dollar General, now under construction, is on the site of the late Huber’s Market. Would these businesses still be here with more local support?
A farmers market may not be the solution to all the town’s shopping needs. A few years ago, there was talk of a grocery store in the village. We understand some Wiscasset residents would still like to see one. But a farmers market allows shoppers to buy products directly from the source. You can’t get much more local than that.
Like any venture in its first year, the farmers market, now in its winter location at The Morris Farm, needs to see support in order to keep going.
If you want the trend of replacing locally owned stores with national “dollar” stores to continue, do nothing. If you want to encourage movement back toward a more locally based economy, go see what the farmers market and other local businesses have to offer.
