Why Shop Locally?

There are a whole bunch of reasons why we’re encouraging folks to buy from independent locally owned businesses. Here are a few:

Economic benefits

• Almost 70 cents of every dollar spent at locally owned businesses stays in the community, compared with only 43 cents when you shop at national chains/big box stores.
• Local businesses offer higher paying jobs for people in the community.
• More tax dollars are reinvested in our community.

Environmental benefits

• Local business districts typically require less infrastructure and less maintenance and generally don’t contribute to sprawl, thus placing less stress on the surrounding natural environment.
• Buying local requires less transportation of goods, reduces packaging waste, and diminishes your overall carbon footprint.

Social and community related benefits

• Local retailers are your friends and neighbors—support them and they'll support you.
• Local businesses donate to charities at much higher rates than national chains. On average, non-profit organizations receive 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
• More independent businesses means more choice and more diversity, as well as a more distinctive and unique community.