We all say that we want more business in Inman such as Chick-Fil-A, Cookout and Starbucks so that our town can continue to grow. However, what people don’t realize is the businesses we already have here don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.

For example, the Inman Fresh Farmers Market is our town’s local market, filled with stands of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with other assorted goods. However, on Saturday mornings when the market is open, there aren’t nearly the amount of people supporting our town’s vendors as there should be.

Kempson Rexall Drugs Inc. is a local business, right in downtown, that sells ice cream, food and candy that would make for a great hangout spot for students after school. However, people continue to drive right past instead of supporting a local, small business.

Recently, Zaxby’s was brought to Inman and, in order to to give the Panther supporters somewhere local to eat after a game, the business owner extended their hours to stay open after every home Chapman football game. Instead of going to somewhere like Boiling Springs, we can now stay local and support a business such as Zaxby’s that took a chance on growing their business here in Inman.

We can’t continue to wish for new businesses and growth if we’re not supporting the ones that are already here. The biggest help we can be to this town is to do these two things; talk and shop local.

By shopping local, people begin to see our businesses thriving which then eases business owners’ minds when they decide to build into Inman.

When we begin to support our town with our money and time, people see and realize that we are connected and truly love our town.

Our town also has to talk to people about Inman. When you speak positivity about anything, it spreads. If we all begin to spread the positivity and love that Inman shares, people will start to notice and start spreading that positivity as well.

We need to really support our town before we expect others to believe and respect our town. Once we begin doing these things, people will follow behind. We love Inman; we just have to show it!