Dear Friends:
Most small businesses owe their success and livelihood
to the aid and contributions of others. That, and simple good fortune. As
we enter our 14th amazing year of independent, debt-free operation we see blessings
everywhere. Tabulating them is less simple; impossible to completely repay - easy to
appreciate.
Kind suggestions and comments from customers are always
appreciated. We wouldn't be in business if not for patrons; their feedback and favorable
response sustains us. The dedication and creativity of J.J. Cardinal's staff, past and
present, has molded the character of our store. Nearly tireless are they in a daily quest
to meet the needs and desires of our guests. Our neighboring businesses in the Pavilion
Shops generously share referrals, kind words of encouragement and more. Bill whose
Hallmark card shop, named after daughter Rachel, is the anchor and veteran of the center.
Ric's Grand Blanc Music, newest store in center, is active with students coming/going for
lessons; Neuenfeldt's (Sheila and Richard) Family Eyecare sports attractive decor and
stylish displays. We're thankful for access to quality, quick snacks/meals at Cottage Inn
Pizza, and when passing Beth and Lump (cat) at R&B Books and Sun-N-Surf Tanning Salon
it's hard not to smile, and exchange waves.
From the opening bell, the community has been receptive
to our programs: local schools, scouts, churches, garden groups. Our monthly nature hikes,
typically held at the Commons, reminds us how special this resource is - thanks to local
boosters and community. When we need change/cash, the friendly staff at Standard Federal
Bank is just a few paces out our back door. Handy. Nice institution. A few doors
south is another valued partner: Jay Hoffman our broker at the local Edwards Jones office.
We're also thankful Ace Hardware is so handy - it seems we have a need to dash over there
weekly. We are thankful as well for the Internet and opportunity to extend our reach
nationally. We hear from interesting people just about every day from all over the country
partly because of this web site hosted by Peach Computers, Inc. Our UPS driver, Tom, is swell picking up our
daily outbound packages and offering tips on critter and wildlife management.
Kind words are shared wherever we go: "JJ
Cardinal's? Oh, I just love that store." We smile, thanking 'em for sharing the
thought. We're certain part of the JJ appeal is our rich and ever changing assortment of
merchandise. Thanks to creative talents of artists like B.E. Eren Jewelry, handmade baabaaZuzu apparel, thermometers
from Conant Custom Brass, Anthony Stoneware's
neat ceramic bird baths and feeders. Our superior bird seed distributor from Nappanee,
Indiana: American Feed, hauls a couple tons of the "best bird food stuffs nature
has to offer" each week [update July '05: American Feed
closed their Indiana facility - CF&G of Wooster OH now mixes JJ's custom blends].
So many great American crafted suppliers: Aspects,
Backyard Nature Products, Erva Tool, Ozark Brand Suet. Our store, and even
this web site, is chock full of examples plus new and exciting
things arriving all the time: art from Amy Peters’ Studio jewelry,
new photographic adventures by Jean
Stoick and Carl Sams II. Endless.
"Gratitude is something of which none of us can
give too much." ~ A. J. Cronin
- Happy thanksgiving.
Louise & Mike Dawson
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