In my town, there’s a small independent bookstore. Its prices are a bit higher than the chain book stores and much higher than Amazon, but they have ten times the service of those places. They will locate and obtain, usually within a day or two, any book that you desire no matter how obscure the title. On a rainy day, there’s no better place to bring the kids, have a cup of coffee while chatting with neighbors, and get lost in some great books for a while. They also contribute to the community through story times and other activities for children as well as their passionate support of local authors. I know that they’ve been hanging on by a thread in this poor economy, and I would miss them greatly if they were to go out of business.
We also have a small, family-owned pet store in our town. It’s one-stop shopping for every type of pet from fish and hermit crabs to dogs and cats. The same employees have worked there for years and can answer any pet-related question that I might throw at them. Again, their prices are somewhat higher than the chain pet store in a neighboring town, but our local store affords pet owners the opportunity to interact with knowledgeable staff who knows us and our pets.
Think about the local, independently-owned businesses in your town. Would you miss them if they were no longer there? Of course you would. The trouble is that in these hard times, people are holding on to their dollars while small local businesses wither away in the shadow of the giant, corporately-owned chain stores.
It doesn’t have to be this way. According to a grassroots campaign known as The 3/50 Project, “if just half the employed US population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.”*
Imagine. Just by spending $50 in each of three local retail stores, you can help your local economy to not only survive but thrive. “For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.”**
No matter how tight our budgets, there are certain goods that we’re going to have to buy no matter what. Let’s make the choice to buy those goods locally. If everyone did this, the business saved just might be your own.
For more information, check out the350project.net
Comments
I've been working on this. Every time I have to buy something from a larger retailer, I try to remember to buy other stuff from a local merchant. It's the local merchants who give my town its color and flavor, and some of my friends own those businesses, so this all makes sense. Thanks for reminding us.
The corporatization of America has done wonders for executives and stockholders across the country, but has decimated the all-American tradition of entrepreneurship and small business ownership. I love how folks tout the greatness of the small business owners and then support legislation that benefits big corporations.
I buy as close to home as possible. Unfortunately, it's not always possible.
Yes, yes and yes. Except the bakery up the street cuz that guy is a jerk.
Hope you move this so people remember. I'll Tweet about 350.
I know where I'll be spending my next 50 dollars - I'd tell you the name of the store, but since you don't live in Santa Rosa, you've probably never heard of it.
I was in what is called "old town" Bellevue, Washington, yesterday, which is right next to the high-end Bellevue square where Neiman Marcus just moved in. The Medina neighborhood is right next to it, where Bill Gates lives, so there is a lot of money to still be spent right now. Half of the entire, quaint "old town" Bellevue with is its shops and restaurants is closing shop. It was very sad to see.
Very timely Lisa, thank you. And, Congrats again on your anniversary!
I used to work for an independently-owned bookstore and we believed in customer service so deeply. The owners sold out to BooksAMillion and most of the staff left because corporations don't care about customer service anymore. I love Borders for the fact that they do care until they broke my heart last night. :o(
The good news this Sunday is that we do have a choice in how and where we spend our money. Thank you for helping to promote this very worthwhile economic solution in your own communities.
Great idea. Thanks for highlighting it here.
Wonderful post. Thanks, Lisa!