community

What Makes a Community?

Definition:
community
noun

  1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

  2. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

When you think of the word community, what comes to mind? For some, it’s a neighborhood. For others, it’s a church, a school, or a circle of friends. For me, it’s all of Wise County.

Sure, it can be broken down into smaller communities—by town, neighborhood, or place of worship—but the entirety of Wise County fits the definition of community.

We share common values and goals. One of the most important is supporting one another so our community can thrive. Small businesses are the backbone of that effort. They often reflect the values and interests of the people who live here, and when they succeed, it means the community’s priorities are being upheld.

I belong to several local Facebook groups and also follow conversations on the NextDoor app. Every now and then, someone will ask if anyone knows what business is moving into a new construction site. Sometimes people hope it’s a popular corporate franchise. More often, though, the replies sound more like: “We don’t want that here—leave those for the big cities. Let’s keep our towns small.”

I agree with that sentiment. While it’s convenient not to travel to DFW for certain things, every big-box store or chain restaurant that moves in changes the look and feel of our small towns. I’d much rather see independent shops, family-owned restaurants, and businesses that bring something unique to our community.

Over the years, I’ve watched many small businesses open with excitement—only to close too soon. Each one of those closings represents someone’s dream. A member of our community took a leap of faith, poured their heart and soul into a venture, and saw it end. I use the word end rather than fail because often these businesses didn’t fail on their own. Too often, they lacked the support they needed—from enough local customers, from enough workers to keep the doors open, or from a community quick to post complaints online but slow to spread the word about a job well done.

Starting a business is hard, no matter the industry. The food industry, in particular, can be especially unforgiving. One negative review—especially if it’s loud and public—can damage a new restaurant’s reputation before it has a chance to grow. Behind every business is a human being, and humans make mistakes. What matters is how those mistakes are handled.

When you visit a new restaurant or shop, don’t expect perfection. If you see room for improvement, consider sharing your thoughts privately with the owner. Extend some grace. They may surprise you by taking your suggestions to heart and making real changes. Remember the imperfect but hardworking people behind the counter. Give them the chance to make it right.

So, the next time you read a post where someone suggests we need a big national chain here, pause for a moment. Think about the mom-and-pop shops and family-run businesses already serving us. Show them your support—not just so they survive, but so they thrive. They are your neighbors. They are your community. And when they succeed, our entire community grows stronger.