Monthly Archives: March 2021

Celebrating Mom & Pop Small Business

Well, Spring has finally sprung here at The Storage in Self Storage located in Egg Harbor Township and in Ocean City, New Jersey!

Spring tends to bring a flurry of activity. Our storage customers shuttle in and out from their storage rental spaces, adjusting and preparing for the new season. We are blessed with a great reputation as the local, family-owned self storage solution for the Southern New Jersey area. 

Being the manager of a second-generation family-owned business, I thought it was cool to find out that March 29th is designated as Mom and Pop small business day. I wanted to find out more, so I did a little digging… 

National “Mom and Pop” Business Owner Day is recognized each year on March 29, celebrating the value that small, locally owned businesses add to their communities. As much as the day is about finding inspiration from the past, it’s also about creating excitement about the future.

Chances are, you already know of a few mom-and-pop businesses in your community. From the family-owned ice cream shop not too far away or the father-and-son hardware store downtown, these are the businesses that National Mom and Pop Business Owner Day honors. They’re not just great places to shop, they’re the backbone of the community.

Mom & Pop Drive the Economy

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, more than 28 million small businesses exist in the U.S. today, employing more than 56 million people. Together, these locally, independently owned retailers, restaurants, hotels and service providers create stronger and more resilient local economies. In fact, locally owned retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to their local economy than national chains. Similarly, locally owned restaurants return more than twice as much money per dollar of sales than their chain counterparts.

Mom & Pop Create and Preserve History

Beyond the economic benefits, locally owned businesses add value that can’t easily be measured in dollars and cents. They create a community that’s completely unique. No two cities, counties or states have the same network of independent businesses – and that makes all of our neighborhoods a little more interesting.

Particularly when it comes to generations-old family businesses, they also chronicle the community’s history in a way that modern big-box superstores can’t. They carry on local traditions and give back to local causes keeping the community vibrant.

Even if a small business hasn’t been around for generations, it’s still a valuable part of the local economy. Looking toward the future, start-up companies and entrepreneurs have the ideas and ambition to create important solutions to our communities’ challenges. Not to mention, they create the potential for even more local jobs and reinvestment.

To celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Day, visit a locally owned business – old or new – in your community. While you’re there, get to know the person working the front desk, learn about the business owners’ passion and build a new connection to your community. Then, spread the word among your friends, family and colleagues. That’s how the buy local movement spreads and mom-and-pop businesses grow stronger.

Well, now you know a little bit more about Mom and Pop businesses then you did before, courtesy of The Storage Inn. I really enjoy working for a family-owned business, and to this day I still receive the occasional call from our first generation owner, Rudy (now retired), just to see how things are going and how I am doing in general.  It’s great to be a part of The Storage Inn family.

 

                                                               

Marching Towards Spring!

Let’s say good-bye to winter and welcome warmer days!

Marching Toward Spring

Ah, March has finally arrived, and the joint is jumpin’ here at The Storage Inn of Egg Harbor Township, NJ! The beginning of March inspires thoughts of spring and warmer weather days. With the spring equinox just a few weeks away, we’re getting a ton of folks stopping by the storage facility preparing to get organized for the spring and summer season. We’re seeing plenty of familiar faces for the first time since winter’s hibernation! And we’re renting new storage space like crazy to a whole new crew of Storage Inn customers. To celebrate the impending return of spring, here are some fun facts about the third month of the year…

  1. The word March dates back to the Roman calendar. March was named for Mars, the Roman god of war.
  1. March was the first month of the year until we started using the Gregorian calendar in 1752.
  1. March was called Hlyda or Lide in Old English, which is a reference to the loud winds.
  1. An old proverb says, “March comes in a like a lion, and goes out like a lamb,” which is reference to winter ending and spring beginning. Another popular saying is “March is mad as a hare,” which is a reference to rabbits fighting each other.
  1. Not only is March Women’s History Month, but it’s also American Red Cross Month and Fire Prevention Month. It’s also National Nutrition Month. Other popular holidays are Read Across America (March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ birthday), St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Pi Day (March 14), Daylights Saving Day, Purim, and sometimes Easter even falls during the month.
  1. People born in the beginning and middle of March are Pisces. Those born from March 21 on are Aries. Pisces are ruled by Neptune, which makes them dreamy, creative and intuitive. Aries are ruled by Mars, which makes them energetic, daring and spontaneous.
  1. Aquamarine and the bloodstone are the birthstones for March. Both stones stand for courage.
  1. There are different reports about the true “birth flower” of March. Some say it’s the Daffodil, and others say it’s the Violet.
  1. A few famous people born in March are “James Bond” actor Daniel Craig, celebrated children’s author Dr. Seuss, actress Jessica Biel, teenage heart throb Justin Bieber, actress Eva Mendes, basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, “Orange is the New Black” actress Lauren Prepon, tattoo artist Kat Von D, theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, reality star Rob Kardashian, “Maroon 5” front man Adam Levine, “Die Hard” star Bruce Willis, Oscar-nominee Reese Witherspoon, Lady Gaga and Grammy winner Elton John.

Hopefully this dose of March trivia help to brighten your day! I know that the warmer weather is certainly adjusting my attitude in a positive direction. I’m starting to feel the urge to go buy shorts and flip-flops!