Why shop locally?   Why should you support your local merchants?

Be aware of the impact of your dollars. A locally owned independent business returns approximately 80% of each dollar spent back to the community. Local, independent businesses assist the community through a “multiplier effect”: one dollar spent at a locally owned business will return five times that amount within the community through city taxes, employees’ wages, and purchase of materials and supplies at other independent businesses. In addition, these businesses will turn that dollar back into the community through school funding, social services, and contributions to local non-profit organizations.

Chains and franchises contribute roughly 40% and at times as little as 20% of the store’s sales back into the community through employee wages, sales taxes, and property taxes. Frequently, a chain store's location is owned by the larger non local company, and the business is given tax breaks by the city in order for shareholder profits to remain high. Locally owned independent businesses do not receive such benefits and thus contribute a far greater proportion of revenues to local taxes.

The disappearance of local businesses leaves a social and economic void that is palpable and real - even when it is unmeasured. The quality of life of a community changes in ways that macroeconomics is slow to measure, or ignores completely.

Wherever you live... THINK LOCAL!   SHOP LOCAL!   BUY LOCAL!   If you are a local business owner, what would happen to your business if local shoppers stopped coming to you.

Something To Think About...
	When asked to name our favorite restaurant, cafe, or shop, we almost always cite a unique local business (look at the results in any "Best of" polls as proof). We embrace the idea of distinctive businesses with local character, but often forget their survival depends on our patronage. It is easy for us to get so consumed by efficiency that we forget how much of our lives we spend eating out, shopping, and doing other business. We owe it to ourselves to consider the quality of our experience, and ask if we benefit when we choose a community-based business. Local owners with much of their life savings invested in their businesses have a natural interest in the long-term health of the community. Community-based businesses are essential to charitable endeavors, frequently serving on local boards, and supporting a variety of causes. Yes, there are some corporate chains that give back to towns in which they do business, but anyone who raises funds for local non-profits will tell you that independents are their base of support. Not all local businesses are models to follow, and corporate chains are not inherently bad, but the overall impacts are clear: local businesses play a vital role in our community that corporate chains rarely do, while chains often even undermine community interests.