LAPLACE — The month of July is nationally celebrated as Independent Retailer Month, and motorists taking even a short drive through St. John the Baptist Parish and the River Region can see how frequently independent retailers dot the local landscape.

“Small, local businesses are extremely important to our communities,” River Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chassity McComack said. “Local shops help create distinctiveness and uniqueness, and also provide a variety of different products you won’t find in large retail stores.”

Through a range of in-store, online and community events and promotions, Independent Retailer Month encourages consumers to shop at local, independent retailers, such as Gem Drugs, which has been serving the River Parishes since 1976.

Gem Drugs has continued to evolve and expand into new areas of medicine, even after nearly four decades of operation.

Randy Mire and his wife Kanoa Jo purchased the pharmacy in 2010, and he said operating an independent store in the River Region has been great.

With Randy’s family from Gramercy, he was familiar with the pharmacy’s reputation and said he doesn’t take lightly the fact members of the community trust Gem Drugs with their medicine needs.

“This community strongly supports local business,” he said. “We enjoy giving back to the community because of that.”

Since the Mires took over, Gem Drugs has hosted annual Easter egg hunts, pictures with Santa, health fairs and other events centered on community involvement and education.

“I enjoy giving back to the community,” Mire said.

Gem Drugs has two locations to serve customers, 139 Central Ave. in Reserve and 1635 Louisiana 3125 in Gramercy. Mire said 50 local people are employed between the two locations.

According to indieretailermonth.com, the observance of Independent Retailer Week was started in 2003 to show retailers how they could create celebrations for their communities, industries and own businesses.

The first month-long celebration was observed in 2011, with the goal to become a global campaign highlighting the important role local merchant’s play in the community, economy and overall retail sector.

“A dollar spent at an independent retailer is usually spent six to 15 times before it leaves the community,” South Dakota Rural Enterprise Inc. officials report.

“From $1, you create $5 to $14 in value within that community. Shopping with an independent retailer supports local traders, their suppliers and the people they depend on to run their businesses.”

McComack said residents should support independent retailers because local stores invest in area communities.

“Dollars spent in our local areas help fund our local governments to keep our communities vibrant and continue to help improve the quality of life,” she said. “Local businesses are known to be more generous in their support of local charities, schools and community events.”

McComack said the Chamber is a partner with the parish’s “Shop Local, Shop St. John” campaign, adding it has also partnered with American Express and their small business shopping program.

Turn to pages 6-7A of Wednesday’s (7-15) L’OBSERVATEUR for a list of participating businesses and to learn how you can win a $100 gift card.