LOCALadk Magazine

Spring 2019 LOCALadk Magazine 7 LOCALadk Message From The Editor Locally owned businesses make up a large percentage of businesses operating in the Adirondacks. Entrepre- neurship, or a term I recently heard: "solopreneurship," is on the rise, and is helping to keep the unique and spe- cial feel in our towns. Too many places in the United States are becoming homogenized by chains, thus creating a feeling of "Generica." When I travel I am always looking for something unique to the area I am exploring, or more importantly, some- thing locally owned. I almost always have a more positive shopping or dining experience when I choose places that are run by people that have a personal investment in my experience. Those with a vision and passion for creating something or someplace that is important to them and what they believe in. Here in the Adirondacks I see that in restaurants, coffee shops, outfitters, gift shops, flower shops, food mar- kets, pet stores, wellness businesses, etc. I walk into these establishments and am almost always met by the owners themselves, who are there working hard and taking a chance on making an honest living. They are happy to talk about their business and even happier to help you in any way they can. They are the shopkeepers that grab the map, spread it out, and start giving you hiking or paddling options. They are the owners that know your name and what your favorite morning brew is—and if they don't know they simply ask and then remember. They are the restaurants that have made it part of their mission to ser ve locally produced ingredients when possible. Our magazine was created in part to help give a voice to the local side of the Adirondacks. We have shared many stories about local people and businesses and will continue to do so. Those same small businesses trust us to help advertise their business and livelihood, they are, in large part, how we are able to share this magazine with you, and we are humbled and grateful. Now it is probably a little unrealistic to think we can always buy local, but we hope this magazine and its sup- porters inspire you to shop local when you can, and when it makes the most sense for you. Spring and summer give us the wonderful opportunity to visit local farmers markets that are always a great source for a variety of local products. We hope you embrace spring and all the newness that comes with it. We have put together an issue that in- cludes hiking, biking, paddling, healthy food, inspiring yoga, travels to Spain, advice, and as always, inspiring pho- tography which helps show off this beautiful Adirondack Park. This issue our Keeping It LOC AL campaign will be sponsoring the adoption fee for Ruckus our back cover dog. He is located at the North Countr y SPC A located in Elizabethtown. Thanks for all your hard work and love of dogs in need of their forever home. Happy Spring, Anne Brewer Editor/Owner

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