WILLISTON, N.D., Feb 6 (Reuters) – Even as plunging crude oil prices fuel anxiety in North Dakota, small business owners in the No. 2 U.S. oil producing state say they are confident that demand for their products and services will remain strong enough to keep things humming.
North Dakota's oil patch has been one of the faster-growing U.S. regions. Small businesses employ three-fifths of the state's private workforce, about 195,000 people, with food service and construction among the larger employers.
While big oil companies grab the most headlines out of the state, much of the local economy still relies on hotel owners, plumbers, contractors and other small businesses.
"There's a note of caution right now around oil prices, but many know the trends: things go down and things go up," [SBA] Gallagher said. "I haven't found anyone that's alarmed."
New coffee shops, restaurants and health food stores have recently opened or are set to open in Williston, capital of the state's oil boom.Much more at the link. The story will be archived at the source.
Three stores mentioned in the article that are about to open or have just opened: Culver's (fast food restaurant that competes with McDonald's); Qdoba, Mexican restaurant; and, Red Wing Shoe Store.
Two other local stores mentioned:
Lantern Coffee Company, a niche affair opening Friday with a menu anchored by ristretto and cortado. (This store will close each day at 5:30 because the owner cannot find enough staff.)
At first blush, organic food store Fresh Palate appears out of place in hard-scrabble Williston, selling gluten-free biscotti, dairy-free pepper jack cheese and organic baby powder suffused with probiotics.
"We saw a need for this type of store here," said co-owner Lacey Dixon, a Williston native who opened Fresh Palate in December. "So I'm not nervous at all about the oil price."
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