With our National Holiday (the 4th of July) coming up, this is a good time to consider the significance and responsibilities of Independence. I would like to suggest that, just as it is not prudent to take your independence for granted, neither is it sensible to take your independent businesses for granted.

As an article in last Thursday’s Gazette-Times unfortunately pointed out, Corvallis’ original art house theater, The Avalon Cinema, will be closing June 30. The four-screen Darkside Cinema will remain open.

Paul Turner is an excellent example of the value of locally owned, independently operated businesses: He believes in his product and has faith in his community. When a new 12-screen megaplex theater was announced in 2004, instead of conceding, he rose to the challenge and opened a fourplex of his own, The Darkside. The world of independent films is complex and mirrors the realities of independent retailers in a smaller community. People strive to manifest their dreams through their passion and hard work, but without community support, they may be unable to reach a sustainable level of productivity. The quality does not always translate into success.

As Paul said in the GT article, the turning point came when he opened an “outstanding film … and had one person show up.” Just because the quality is there and people like having independent films available and really enjoy the times they go, doesn’t assure financial sustainability.

I believe that our locally owned businesses have proved over and over that we are willing to persevere in difficult times and adapt to a changing marketplace. We are also willing to invest our savings and security in our businesses and to trust the good will of our community. But it is not enough for people to say they “love a particular business,” they must actively support it — either through patronizing it or telling their friends about it. Please don’t assume that the business will always be there! Too often, we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone.

I am not suggesting anyone feel “guilty,” just do what you can and look for opportunities to increase your support. Talk with your local merchants, let them know how you feel they are doing to deserve your business. We accept the realities of competing with national retailers and have confidence in the quality of our products and service. These are things over which we have a degree of control; the unknowns are why something doesn’t work. This is where we depend on our customers to let us know how we are doing and if there are other things we should be aware of.

I feel this is one of the real benefits local businesses offer to their community. They exist in a shared relationship: When one prospers, the other naturally benefits. For every dollar spent with a local business, there is about 3½ times the local economic benefit than if it were spent with a national retailer. Local owners also live here and depend on the vitality of their community to provide a healthy and prosperous environment in which to raise their family. Independent businesses contribute significantly to America’s independence. July is a great time to celebrate them both!