Dighton's new 'Shop Local' directory aims to help you find hidden gems

DIGHTON — Dighton has launched a "Shop Local" campaign complete with a local business directory on the town's website to "put the spotlight on our locally owned businesses and all the amazing products, services, food, and experiences that they have to offer."

Dighton Development & Industrial Commission Chairman Daniel Higgins said the business directory was recently placed on the website to urge support for local businesses owned by residents or based in Dighton.

Higgins said residents own many businesses in Dighton, and the Shop Local campaign would "bolster the business community and help to strengthen our local tax base."

"Support for these businesses also means direct support for town residents," he said. "It is always important to recognize and celebrate the talent within. In this case, the talents are in our local businesses."

How many businesses are there in Dighton and what kind?

Higgins said there are approximately 250 businesses in Dighton, and many of them are "home-based."

"Dighton is primarily a rural community with many businesses engaged in farming, floral, agricultural, livestock, horse stables, landscaping and arborists and nurseries," he said.

Higgins said Dighton also has locally-owned electrical services businesses, construction firms, auto repairs services, truck repairs and motor vehicle dealerships.

"We also have many service industries, including web design, financial planning, software and computer services," he said.

Higgins said Dighton has locally-based boat yard marinas, artists, photographers, restaurants, medical offices, home care services, gift shops, convenience stores and salons "that keep a community going."

"Dighton is also home to several particularly large enterprises such as Manheim New England, Cooperative Production, Inc., and Dighton Power," he said.

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Business directory 'fantastic for residents and businesses'

Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce President Kris Silva said, "it's fantastic for towns" to have a local business directory on a municipal website to benefit residents and businesses.

"We have a directory on the Chamber website, but it only lists chamber (business) members," she said.

Silva said Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce member Jon Geggatt serves on the Dighton Development & Industrial Commission and has been instrumental in influencing commissioners.

"He is a Dighton native and has an interest in the chamber and the town he grew up in," she said. "He is proud to serve on that commission."

Geggatt's LinkedIn profile says he worked for over 30 years in the information technology industry "with some amazing Fortune 500 companies" before retiring in February 2019.

The business directory on the town website allows all local businesses owned by residents or based in Dighton to be listed upon request free of charge. To apply to be listed email the Dighton Development & Industrial Commission at ddic@dighton-ma.gov.

Residents can search the directory for specific businesses or by category — including auto repair, liquor stores, convenience stores, employment services, gas stations, florists, landscaping contractors, oil delivery, pizza shops, health care services, HVAC contractors and tree service.

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Bayberry Farm owner expects to benefit from Dighton's website

Bayberry Farm & Flower Company owner Dawn Dufault said she expects more customers to come to her business because it's listed on the town's webpage directory.

"I've only been doing this business full-time for the last five years, and I'm still trying to get my business name out there," she said. "Having the support to be listed on the town webpage, which gets a fair amount of traffic, is a good thing."

"I will use the business directory to do business with the small businesses," she added. "I'm sure other businesses try to support each other. Hopefully, they will find me and get flowers or attend my workshops."

Dufault said she offers free flower arranging workshops at the farm at 1841 Maple St. In Dighton during the summer.

"People will come on a Friday night to cut the flowers," she said. "I teach them how to arrange the flowers. I do all kinds of flowers."

Dufault said Bayberry Farm & Flower Company sells floral arrangements for people to display at a wedding, funeral or inside their home.

"Wedding events are becoming a bigger part of my business as I grow," she said.

Dufault said most of her floral purchases are made by "local area customers." She also coordinates flower displays for people planning to get married at the Five Bridge Inn in Rehoboth and the Chamberlain Farm & Pavilion in Berkley.

"Another thing I like to do is buy flowers from local farmers in Dighton and Rehoboth versus buying imported flowers," she added.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dighton Shop Local: Directory lists local businesses on town website