A long time friend of mine has worked here for 26 years as a jeweler. I agree..I work for a small business. We go above and beyond any box store.

Sad to see two great companies close. Very good article. I always try and support local business, it's because of them is what helps get this local economy going. It sad when people would rather save $5 on something by shopping at a big box store. Support Local Business.

I also work for a locally owned business. Most people don't understand how much their small local businesses have pay in taxes, where many of the "Big Box" stores get special tax exemptions or discounts, and it's just not right. You won't find me at those "Big Box" stores. I would rather pay a little extra to the smaller guy trying to make enough money to pay their bills, than watch the others line their pockets while receiving tax deductions, and opening more stores across America!

I throughly agree that it's high time that we start supporting our local business or there will be lots more local business closing.

It's not the way we shop it's how the people who run the city reject businesses and business people. Who wants to have a business in a city that don't want a baseball stadium for example. More people more money. Bay city has been failing its people for many years

So tired of people saying "they (Bay City) didn't a baseball stadium". I believe the Midland stadium is a Dow supported, non-profit, funded without public money. That option was not available in BC.



People also complain about poor streets, but the millage to improve was rejected. They cry about loss of police and fire, but nobody volunteers to pay higher taxes.



The examples go on and on. People complain, but expect "them" to make it happen and pay for it. Case in point... a tiny percent of eligible voters get out and vote. Improvement measures are proposed then rejected by those few who vote.

The stadium that was going to go in Bay City had no team behind it even. Big misconception that it wouldve been the Loons.

I feel awful that most of the small, wonderful businesses are leaving, or gone. Many people continue to support Bay City, but I believe the most comfortable group of people, couldn't care less. For years the wealthiest retirees have often turned down progress, and continue to turn their backs on anything thhat could help our progress. Many of my friends and I, who grew up here, wonder what's to come? There's little hope, if every one doesn't stick together before there's nothing left to save. Support any businesses, like it was your own. They rely on you........stay out of Wal-Mart, because their cheap !!! There's a good reason their cheap. Think about it. Any large box store, doesn't support their employees, nor care about them. If you got a $7.40 an hour job, be glad ???

I think this is very true we all do need to shop more locally great Story Josh I own my own business as a hairstylist at The Hair Shop where you also get your haircut we appreciate your business thank you!

I believe I read in the stories by the BC Times that both of these closures are resulting due to the retirement of the owners of both businesses. The family that owns Simmons sounds as if they need the money to enter their mother into long term care and the father is living in Florida. The man that owns Norman's is 80 or so years old and just wants to hang it up. Yes, we should support local business but this story seems to imply non support brought these two down.

I also remember as a boy growing up on 6th and Sherman, walking downtown and being able to pick out any number of movie theaters for my entertainment. I remember one Thanksgiving going to the old Washington Theater after a delicious meal prepared by my grandmother Murch and coming out of the theater two or three hours later with a foot of snow on the ground. Great times were had visiting Mill End, and other businesses along Washington and Center Ave. Today, the old homestead is gone...and most of those great old shops.

While I do my best to practice the adage "think globally - act locally" given I have family that just sold our store on Patterson rd. and others that own Woodside Hdwe, I have to wonder if the big guys are really the problem.

The city of Bay City through the building inspector, coupled with ridiculous regulations and red tape, do as much or more to discourage individuals from investing their time and money to start a small business in this town than any competition from a big box store. For evidence, look at all the businesses closing and/or struggling in the south end on Broadway.