We
all love the convenience of online shopping and the promise of low
prices from the growing number of national retail chains. But in our
tendency to buy whatever is placed in front of us, we may fail to see
what is happening in the big picture. Everywhere you go, you can see
local shops with “Going out of Business” signs. The truth is: local
businesses are hurting.
Keep Main Street Alive! While there is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying the convenience that the “global marketplace”
has to offer – stop for a moment to think about the personality of our
local shops, the warmth of our neighborly relationships, and the
originality of our local boutiques! Where would we be without them? A
nation of cookie-cutter towns? And what about the promise of lower
prices? Ounce for ounce, are we really saving money at the huge
international chains, or are we simply lured by low-priced promotional
items that get us into the store – only to be gouged by other
higher-priced items that amount to not-much-savings at the checkout?
Spending local – even if it means buying just a little less – will get
us all much more in the long-term!
Here are 10 (Really Good!) Reasons to Shop Local This Holiday Season:
Local business owners and employees are our friends, family members and neighbors who want and need our support.
Shopping local does not necessarily mean higher prices (many of the shops in town are offering AMAZING discounts and offers!).
Money
spent at local businesses circulates back into the community because
local businesses are depended upon to support our schools, local
organizations, programs and causes.
Keeping local businesses alive means preserving our community’s charm and unique character!
Shopping locally rewards entrepreneurship and allows new ideas to flourish.
A strong culture of entrepreneurship results in a greater variety of products and services available locally.
Thriving local businesses = thriving local job market (often with better local wages).
Local
businesses are arguably better for the environment by creating
sustainable, walkable business centers that reduce the need for
automobile travel, pollution, and damage to the natural environment.
Without our support NOW, our favorite local businesses may not exist this time next year.
We have the power to “vote” with our dollars. Every vote counts. What are you voting for?
And don't let it stop with the holidays!
Here's how we can all make a difference by shopping local year-round: You
can support local businesses without having to rearrange your whole
life. Simply being aware and deliberately shopping local when you can
will make a huge difference.
this
organization is spreading the word that we can have a huge collective
positive impact if each of us pick 3 local businesses that we love and
stop in to buy something and say hello; committing to spend just $50 a
month with locally-owned businesses can make billions of dollars of
difference. Click here to go to The 3/50 Project website.
Remember
that the dollars you spend locally are buying more than just the
products or services you receive. You are investing in your community.
Remind friends to shop locally, and keep spreading the word about all
of the local businesses you love! They will surely love you back!
marketplace”
has to offer – stop for a moment to think about the personality of our
local shops, the warmth of our neighborly relationships, and the
originality of our local boutiques! Where would we be without them? A
nation of cookie-cutter towns? And what about the promise of lower
prices? Ounce for ounce, are we really saving money at the huge
international chains, or are we simply lured by low-priced promotional
items that get us into the store – only to be gouged by other
higher-priced items that amount to not-much-savings at the checkout?
Spending local – even if it means buying just a little less – will get
us all much more in the long-term!
