Please humor me and read on...
I have heard that the Cedar City Roberts Crafts will soon close permanently. Apparently, their lease will expire in April and the company is looking to consolidate. Cedar City can't afford to lose another store that is vital to our community.
While I can definitely understand the need to be fiscally responsible in these economic times, I think the company needs to ensure they have considered the community impact of this particular closing:
1) Cedar City is an isolated community with few retail opportunities. Roberts is far and away one of the busier stores in Cedar City because its offerings are so unique. In essence, the CC Roberts has got a monopoly -- why give that up?
2) Roberts is the ONLY store of its kind in the area. In addition to those who craft as a hobby, countless teachers, parents, students (from the elementary through university level), daycare workers and small businesses rely upon the supplies available through Roberts for their success. I fear that, especially in the classroom, our community will see a drastic decline in creative engagement and opportunities.
3) Though the Cedar City store may not generate as much revenue as Roberts stores in more metropolitan areas, per capita, I would bet the Cedar City Roberts Crafts is hugely successful.
As a MUCH-NEEDED resource to so many in this region, I think we need to ensure the corporate offices of the Roberts Crafts company responsibly considers the impact this store closing will have on our community. If you are so inclined, I urge you to do the same by submitting a comment to their corporate offices through their website: http://www.robertscrafts.com/default.aspx?PageID=53
The impact of this closing, particularly for students and educators at all levels, could prove very costly to the Cedar City and surrounding communities. Please join me in storming the gates!
While I can definitely understand the need to be fiscally responsible in these economic times, I think the company needs to ensure they have considered the community impact of this particular closing:
1) Cedar City is an isolated community with few retail opportunities. Roberts is far and away one of the busier stores in Cedar City because its offerings are so unique. In essence, the CC Roberts has got a monopoly -- why give that up?
2) Roberts is the ONLY store of its kind in the area. In addition to those who craft as a hobby, countless teachers, parents, students (from the elementary through university level), daycare workers and small businesses rely upon the supplies available through Roberts for their success. I fear that, especially in the classroom, our community will see a drastic decline in creative engagement and opportunities.
3) Though the Cedar City store may not generate as much revenue as Roberts stores in more metropolitan areas, per capita, I would bet the Cedar City Roberts Crafts is hugely successful.
As a MUCH-NEEDED resource to so many in this region, I think we need to ensure the corporate offices of the Roberts Crafts company responsibly considers the impact this store closing will have on our community. If you are so inclined, I urge you to do the same by submitting a comment to their corporate offices through their website: http://www.robertscrafts.com/default.aspx?PageID=53
The impact of this closing, particularly for students and educators at all levels, could prove very costly to the Cedar City and surrounding communities. Please join me in storming the gates!
