Let’s keep it local

With the completion of another successful Taste of Newport under

the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce’s belt, I am reminded of the

fundamental reason it was created 14 years ago. No, it was not to

“eat as much as you can.” It was designed to support local

restaurants and businesses and draw attention to the myriad fine

dining opportunities found in our community. The hope is that our

patrons at the event will discover a new restaurant and visit soon.

With the slow economy trying to gain momentum, nothing helps more

than investing in our local economy. Our community was built on local

businesses. From Bob Black who owns Catalina Passenger Service and

Ray Saporita who owns Impact Graphics & DeSigns to Dan Marciano,

proprietor of the Arches Restaurant and John Blom of John L. Blom

Photography, local business is what the Newport Beach economy depends

on.

There are few places in Southern California you can go and

actually have the owner of the business greet you at the door. Don’t

believe me, head down to the Irvine Spectrum or Block at Orange and

try to find more than a handful of family-owned businesses. We live

in a unique community where business owners not only have stake in

their community through ownership of their business but very often

these same entrepreneurs live here as well.

Go down to Bibi Ann’s Restaurant in Balboa Village and say “Hi” to

Bibi Anna herself. Take a ride on the Balboa Ferry and keep an eye

out for longtime owner Seymour Beek. Walk into Traditional Jewelers

in Fashion Island and ask for owner Lula Halfacre ... she’ll be glad

to help you. The point is that our local businesses depend on local

residents to keep them alive.

The Taste of Newport brings business and exposure to our local

economy. In a few short months another event, the Newport Harbor

Christmas Boat Parade, will also bring tens of thousands of patrons

to our local businesses. Presented by the Commodores Club of the

chamber, the parade brings crucial business to many in the community.

Every year I hear from local business owners who tell me that

their entire year’s economic success depends on the parade for a

boost of business at the end of the year. Your investment in local

business is immeasurable both financially and philosophically to

their success.

Another event that helps businesses in our area show off their

goods and services to local residents and fellow business owners will

take place Feb. 19 at the Newport Beach Marriott. The Business at the

Beach Business Expo is the lone “locals only” business expo to give

businesses exposure to residents and other businesses in the area.

With food, drinks, entertainment and more than 100 local businesses

expected to be on display, I encourage everyone in the community to

come out and support them.

The Taste of Newport, Christmas Boat Parade and Business at the

Beach Business Expo are just a few of the many ways you can support

our local economy. I am serious when I say it is vital to patronize

our local businesses. No matter what time of year it is, shopping,

eating and entertaining locally is essential to keeping our city

moving forward and economically healthy.

We at the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce encourage everyone to

do their part and support our local businesses. When you spend money

locally, the money you spend stays here in the form of payroll or the

portion that goes to paying taxes which, in turn, helps pay for our

terrific city services.

It’s important to recognize that we are all in this together and

that together we can continue to have a strong local economy. Working

together, both residents and businesses can continue to make Newport

Beach the best place to live, work and play.

* RICHARD LUEHRS is the president and chief executive of the

Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.