Buy Local! Creative Commons Brookhaven Mississippi! and Jay Perkins
America’s small businesses reflect the best of who we are as a Nation—daring and innovative, courageous and hopeful, always working hard and looking ahead for the next great idea. – President Obama
As some may know June 16-22 is recognized as National Small Business Week so it’s a great time to learn or get a refresher on their impact on the community.
Why shop local?
The best question to ask here should be why wont you support a locally owned and operated business over a corporate one? When you buy local products it helps your community grow financially, environmentally, and culturally rather than going into a massive store and buying a product where you don’t know where it comes from and having an anti-personal relationship with one of the twenty cashiers that vary daily. Don’t get me wrong here I am not saying don’t go into corporate owned stores I am just saying instead of going there first go by and at least pay a locally owned business a visit and see if they have any products that you could get at the other stores. The experience is bound to be different and you might make a personal relationship with the owners and get involved rather than go in and go out.
What do they do?
locally owned business help communities by:
- Supporting local Non-Profits
- Producing unique services
- Reducing the Carbon Impact
- Creating jobs
- Stimulating local economy
- Putting tax dollars where needed: Fire/Police Department, Schools, and Parks
- Being deeply rooted in community
- Diversifying range of products: maybe organic foods
- Bringing different cultures to a community
Infographic. Creative Commons photo via igorschwarzmann
How do I shop local?
Well this might not be as hard as you might think, local businesses do not just have to be agriculture based but they can be service, repair, home improvement, clothing, music, and by other means. Instead of going out to eat at a chain restaurant why not research any locally owned places and give them a shot for your night out? not only does this help them get business you might end up being a regular. If you want to decorate your house with paintings or sculptures just look up local artisans who would be more than willing to sell you a one of a kind piece. Need tools, lumber, equipment or animal feed? well there might be a locally owned hardware store you never might have seen. And when it comes to fashion there are bound to be some small boutiques and designers not too far away from town squares.
Let me know about some local businesses in your town in the comments below!!
Fair Culture 