I visit the Bay Area at least once or twice a year. And, every few weeks I go to Bellevue to visit with kids and grandkids. Each time I travel off the island I have to watch myself: hugging family and close friends is OK, but may not be the norm in many places I visit.
A typical day on Whidbey usually includes numerous hugs. And, not just with people I know well. Usually, I meet someone I know in the grocery store (whichever one I visit), when I walk around Freeland or Langley, or simply taking a walk. I am always surprised at how often I meet someone who gives me a hug, wherever I go on the island.
The reason I mention hugs in a marketing blog is that when I visit the merchants on South Whidbey, I know many of them, and a visit to their stores usually includes hugs. I am sure other small towns create this same experience, but, it’s not the norm in most big cities and suburbs.
Anyway, part of what makes Whidbey such a sweet, lovely place to shop for me (and I would guess for most of us) is to walk into a store and not only get greeted warmly, but to have the business owner walk out and give me a welcoming hug.
This type of shopping experience is one of the major reasons I would rather shop on the island, even if prices are not as low as the big box stores. It’s such a great feeling to be truly appreciated as a potential customer…..or maybe just as a neighbor.