Residents, business and community leaders are rallying to save Austin’s Target store from closing, Feb. 1. More than 2,000 people have signed a petition asking Target to reconsider. Many have called company officials to express their concern. Still others have written to corporate leaders, requesting a meeting to see what could possibly be done to alter their decision.

It is an amazing effort. One everyone in our community should both embrace and celebrate. Hats off to all who have made their voices heard!  Join the effort if you have not. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” as Yogi Berra once advised.

The odds for success remain long. The Austin Daily Herald reported, Nov. 6, that “efforts to save Austin’s closing Target store are too late.” The company plans to close the store, Feb. 1, as initially announced, due to “years of declining performance.”

There is a lesson for all residents in those brief, but direct statements: The time to support a business is before they announce they are closing. If we are to have more retail selection, if we are to have more job opportunities, if we are to have more services provided, we need to start by supporting the businesses we already have here.

Too often in recent years we have seen one business open while another closes. “We take one step forward and one step back,” as some have suggested while discussing Target’s plans.

At the Chamber, our members come from all different sectors of business. Some are large. Most are small, locally owned and operated.  Some are in retail while others provide services or manufacture products. All have made an investment in our community. The vast majority employ others and support community causes as much as they can. They are the backbone of our economy. When they fail, we all suffer.

Too often, these businesses are taken for granted. People shop elsewhere, find services elsewhere without even checking with “their friends and neighbors.” A study the Chamber commissions through the University of Minnesota shows retail sales are improving in Austin, but still underperform similar size communities in our state. The University, in fact, estimates that we are losing more than 40 percent of what a community of our size and income levels should expect to see. That’s better than we were doing a few years ago, but still not nearly good enough.

The Save Target initiative has provided our community with a new opportunity to discuss reversing this long term trend. We hope the support voiced for Target extends to all businesses in Austin, and helps them remain here. Support those who support our community, Buy Mower/Grow Mower.