As the area continues its slow recovery from the Great Recession of 2008, it’s heartwarming to see that young entrepreneurs — in this case, young women — own or co-own several businesses close to one another in downtown Washington. They all have Washington High School connections, having graduated from there during the past 12 years.
Kudos to Meredith Loughlin, Leigh Gertz and Landis Woolard (and their families) for taking a chance on downtown Washington.
Loughlin co-owns Long Leaf Gallery and Framing with husband Neil. Gertz owns Bloom Women’s Apparel. Woolard opened Cottage Junkies with help from her mother and sister, Tricia Woolard and Brooke Newman.
They are making an investment in Washington. By shopping in their establishments, we can help them realize returns on those investments. By shopping in their shops, we can turn their pride in Washington into profits for them. There is nothing wrong with t
hat.
If Washington residents needed another reason to shop locally, as the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce suggests, then spending money with these female entrepreneurs is as good a reason as any.
Newman said opening a shop in Washington shows her family’s pride in the city.
“So many flee from Washington, and we’re trying to make something of it,” she said in an interview earlier this week.
That’s an attitude worth sharing and supporting.
Continue to make us proud.