In This Issue
Generous Words
TEXpansion: Medical center brings jobs to Lakeway
Canadian baker cooks up recipe for success
Running retailer keeps community healthy
Partnering for Impact: How to sweeten incentives for retail development
Texas tops in weathering economy
Web Exclusive
Customer service drives Weakley-Watson’s longevity
Local Government
Tools that Made
the Difference
Brownwood
Brownwood’s location has been key to its continued prosperity, says Laura Terhune, executive director for the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce.
“Some people may describe us as isolated, but we like to think we’re an oasis,” Terhune says.
The chamber sponsors numerous events each year, including a Great Indoor/Great Outdoor Extravaganza in the spring, where local businesses showcase their home and garden products.
Located 70 miles from Abilene, and a two-and-a-half hour drive from Fort Worth, Brownwood has so far been insulated from the economic turmoil affecting parts of the nation, says Terhune.
“Brownwood is not struggling; we’ve had slow and steady growth,” Terhune says.
As an example, unemployment in Brownwood held steady at 4.8 percent in August 2008. Sales tax revenues in November 2008 rose by .47 percent over the same time last year. Sales tax revenues for 2008 are up 2.56 percent overall.
Find data-packed reports on different regions in Texas, including information on population, employment, income, property values and sales activity by visiting www.TexasEdge.org.
Building Relationships
Customer service drives Weakley-Watson’s longevity
For more than 130 years, Weakley-Watson True Value Hardware and Sporting Goods have provided Brownwood residents with just what they are looking for. Whether customers want to win bragging rights in the store’s yearly Big Buck contest, or pick up the latest in Kitchen-Aid mixers, the stores have something for everyone. With a continued emphasis on providing exemplary customer service, the retail fixture has weathered the city’s changing business climate and ever-increasing competition from national retail chains.
“They provide outstanding customer service that goes far beyond what you would find at the newer, large retail stores,” says James Campbell, executive director for the Brownwood Economic Development Corp.
For example, if a customer walks in to the hardware store wanting a 3/4-inch hex head bolt, it’s very likely one of the employees will walk them over to the correct drawer and pull one out, Campbell says.
“You have to have the right products, but without customer service, they don’t mean much,” Campbell says.
Established in 1876 by Civil War veteran J.C. Weakley, Weakley-Watson is currently owned by Mike Blagg and his two brothers, who all are Weakley’s great-great grandsons. The store originated from Weakley’s tin fabrication shop, which he set up after being asked to install a church’s roof.
Blagg has owned the store for more than 25 years. He says the key to success is listening to customers and filling their requests, even if it means making a special order on an item the store doesn’t usually carry. A recent change of location has attracted more customers.
“A few years ago we moved to a location closer to a residential area, so we offer a convenience factor,” Blagg says. At the same time, the hardware portion and sporting goods section became separate stores. As part of the convenience factor, the True Value Hardware-affiliated store has a one-hour photo lab, an amenity not offered by the competition.
The store occupies an intersection that straddles Brownwood’s commercial and main residential area. Laura Terhune, executive director for the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce, says that she and at least two-thirds of the city’s residents pass by Weakley-Watson on a daily basis.
“People will pay $2-$3 more for something if they don’t have to park a half-mile away, go into a huge store and be overwhelmed,” says Terhune.
The stores provide 17 full-time and 12 part-time jobs to the local economy and have served generations of Brownwood families. Blagg views the stores’ homespun reputation as one of their biggest tools in keeping customers loyal. Community involvement is just as critical.
“We get 1,000 donation requests a year, and I’m not kidding,” Blagg says. The storeowners try to fulfill as many requests as possible and are active in sponsoring youth sports leagues. TR
For information on Weakley-Watson stores visit www.Weakley-Watson.com.