With another downtown business closing in Kimball, the number of empty store-fronts in the main business district continue to increase.

Timely Creations' owner, Sharon Rose, said this can be attributed to a few factors. The first she mentioned was a lack of promotion and marketing from the city.

According to Rose, her building has been for sale for months. Yet, when a prospective buyer came in, they were not shown, nor made aware of the possibility of her store-front.

"Instead of spending money foolishly, they need to help the small business owners," Rose stated.

Another cause Rose said, is that area businesses don't cooperate well with each other. She mentioned that she did get some support from local business, “Cottage Gardens” but that other businesses were not willing to cooperate with one another.

“I think half the problem is the lack of cooperation between businesses and organizations,” Rose said.

Or course, spending money locally was also a concern. While Rose understands that at times, it is difficult to spend in town, there are times when it is just as easy or cheap to do so.

Rose suggested that the community not make trips out of Kimball for shopping as often, or possibly making sure the items needed are not available locally before planning that trip.

“It is sad that I have made more money going out of business than in the last few weeks of business,” Rose lamented.

It seems that while some businesses struggle to keep their doors open, others find it easier to meet the consumer's needs, and some are expanding or moving.

For downtown business owners, Rich and Kelli Patterson, the story is a little more hopeful. They have been owners of Hometown Hardware for five years, and feel they are doing well.

For the Pattersons, success means thriving in the current economy despite the odds.

“We had lots of people tell us that it was a crazy undertaking,” Kelli said.

The Pattersons attribute their success to several key factors. The first thing they said was the community support, and the reason behind that support.

“The big difference is that we are need-based,” Kelli noted.

“We have strong customer service, better than you will find in the big box stores,” Rich added.

The inventory at the store includes mostly necessary items and it is not uncommon for any of them to meet a customer at the store after hours if a product is needed.

Another strength for the Patterson's is the family support they receive. Rich's parents have owned the store previously and Kelli believes that is a bonus, that he grew up knowing this kind of business.

They are also quick to include great wholesalers and a “very, very good bank.”

“Our bank is just great, they were willing to gamble on a new business,” Rich said.

The one big obstacle that comes to mind for Kelli, and Rich is quick to agree, is keeping a variety of products stocked. Kelli thinks that is the biggest difficulty for them because their business is need based, and it can be a hardship to go out of town at the last minute for a repair item.

As for their thoughts on small town businesses closing, the Pattersons believe that small town charge accounts have a part in it. As a small business owners, they want to provide that amenity, but know that often times it is the best way to lose money.

“This is do or die for us, and we pour ourselves into it,” Kelli said.

Nodding, Rich added, “It is a priority and we are blessed to have the help and support of our employees. They are a huge part of it. We have a team willing to put as much into this as we do.”

At the city council meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 15, council member and business owner, Kim Christensen, voiced her concern about the issue. Christensen stepped out of the council member role and addressed the public and the board from the standpoint of a citizen and business person.

Christensen sought support from the council to address the issue with the public, in the form of a survey. She suggests that assessing the needs of the citizens and the local businesses strengths will aid local business owners in growth.

Christensen added that many locals travel out of Kimball for certain services and products they can't find or afford here. She suggests that change could occur if the business owners and the citizens work together to identify the needs of the community.

Joining the discussion was business owner Brian Williams asked, “Why can't Kimball be a destination for the weekend?”

“The only way to get this stopped is to start,” Christensen stated.