Apr 1, 2010

Old Town: Shop ‘mom and pop’By Mariecar MendozaMyDesert.com

The shopping bug got to several local patrons at Old Town La Quinta, as merchants began spreading the word about National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day.

All Old Town La Quinta merchants, including its restaurants, participated in the obscure national holiday on Monday, educating shoppers about the importance of supporting local businesses.

“The advantage of supporting the mom-and-pop stores is that it stimulates our local economy,” said Old Town Property Manager Leslie Locken. “Essentially those dollars spent in our local stores stay in the community Unlike the big box stores where the money gets sent to corporate headquarters, this money is actually recycled — if you will — into the community.”

Ninety-five percent of Old Town La Quinta stores are “mom-and-pop businesses,” Locken added.

As a bonus, on Monday only, when shoppers spent $100 or more in Old Town La Quinta, they could redeem a $15 gift certificate to be used at any Old Town La Quinta business. The holiday began in Everett, Mass., in 1939 by owners of a small hat shop named “Ruth’s,” Locken said.

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