10 Reasons to Shop Locally

1. Shopping local creates jobs.
Shops in our town create local employment and self-employment. These people in turn spend in the local economy. It is a healthy cyclical movement that depends on where we make our purchases to stay healthy.

2. Local independent shops invest more in our communities.
Local businesses are usually more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events. So supporting local shops means a financial impact on our community.

3. Local shops sell a wide range of great products at affordable prices.
Many people get out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and services available. Don't get brainwashed by the big-box advertising, not everything is cheaper at the chain stores, especially when you think of the down-stream affects of the purchase.

4. Shopping local supports entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels our local economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.

5. Shopping local retains our communities.
People don't like losing shops and services in small towns but don't equate this to how they spend their money. We have the power, every purchase is a vote for the company or companies that we want to have around tommorow.

6. Shopping Local retains our distinctiveness.
Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses respond more quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs.

7. Shopping local saves the environment.
Local shops often stock a high percentage of local sourced goods which do not require long truck journeys thus having a smaller carbon footprint. Many local shops have P2, recycling and product life-cycle programs in place. Ask about what your favorite local shop is doing to be green, and make sure and reinforce it with a thumbs up and a thank you!

8. Local shops are for everyone.
Most people can get to their local shops easily on foot, bike or bus and this is especially important for the elderly and young people and those without transportation.

9. Local shops value you more.
These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business which means you get a higher standard of service. You can build a relationship at a local shop. Isn't it nice to be greeted by name by the owner and be told, "oh, I just got something in that your spouse will just love, let me show it to you!"

10. Shopping local saves services.
Private and public services cluster around shops. As shops disappear so do hairdressers, cleaning services, and restaurants, etc. The very life-blood of our community is the network of local services that depend on our patronage to local shops for their survival.

Next shopping trip, remember a dollar spent locally has a return on investment to you and your children's heritage many times what one Washington would do at a big-box store. Go local; Go sustainable!