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Photo by Dan DuChene
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John Williams, president of Look in the Attic and Company, poses next a display in his company's store in Downtown Ypsilanti.
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A local business has decided to donate 10 percent of its sales in Ypsilanti to the city government.
Look in the Attic and Company, a downtown business selling vintage-style home decor, will be running the program from now until the end of the year. The company's president, John Williams, expects the program to garner increased sales, inspire more companies to participate and attract more consumers downtown.
"It makes good sense," Williams said. "I can't see a downside to it."
With local groups advocating for people to shop at locally owned stores, Williams said he expects more people will shop at a store when they know some of their money is going directly to the city. At the same time, he said Ypsilanti's budget concerns could be alleviated in part by the program.
"I think if businesses do donate 10 percent of their sales, it could alleviate the tax burden and maybe generate a surplus," Williams said. "People will support that and they will shop locally."
In business since 2000, Look in the Attic has been at its location downtown since 2005. Many of its sales are made over the internet. However, only Ypsilanti sales will be counted in the program. Any in-store purchases will be put to that cause, but the promotion's code word, "ypsipride," must be entered for a sale over the internet.
"I highly doubt Wal-Mart is going to give 10 percent of their sales to the city," Williams said.
"There's a budget gap," he said. "The solution has to come from the people who live here.
"I highly encourage other businesses to do the same thing," Williams said.
Paul Balcom is the co-owner of the Rocket, a downtown store selling candies and novelties. He said he had heard of Look in the Attic's new program.
"It's a good idea," Balcom said. "It's something we haven't considered."
He said he would have to discuss a similar donation program with his partner.
"Wow, that's pretty amazing," said Peter Rinehart, who owns Bombadil's a downtown coffee shop, when he heard about what Look in the Attic will be doing this year.
"It's a great idea," Rinehart said, "incredibly laudable."
Though he said he would have to check his books before adopting a donation scheme for his business, Rinehart said it could be a good example to set.
For more information, or to visit Look in the Attic on the web, visit www.lookintheattic.com.
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