Why Support Local Businesses

Keep your money where your heart lives, by supporting our city's small businesses. When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your community.   

Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses and service providers, as well as employ our neighbors. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as our region’s tax base.

Whether you realize it or not, when you shop local you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality.

• Buy from Local, Independently Owned Businesses. You can help the small businesses you love stay in business by buying their products and services. In fact, many small businesses are operating online and by phone now. And buying local means you’re not only supporting community businesses, but you will get your products faster than if you ordered them from an online megastore.
• Shop early. Shopping early helps give small businesses a bit of a cushion as they head into a financially demanding time of the year and is especially helpful for online retailers who face a rush of orders to ship in the last couple of weeks of the year. 
• Meet local businesses where they are. If you’re able to safely shop in person (masked up and socially distanced, of course), know it can be helpful for retailers who only operate out of a brick-and-mortar. Supporting local businesses means shopping at their store and sharing what drew you to that business with others.
• Buy Gift Cards.  Gift cards take the guesswork out of holiday shopping, and such cards are easily shipped or even emailed to loved ones. Gift cards to local businesses simplify holiday shopping, support small businesses and help shoppers avoid potential delivery delays. 
• Buy Something Extra. While you’re buying a gift card, maybe get one as a birthday gift for a friend as well.
• Order Carry-Out. Restaurants throughout the nation have moved quickly to make it easier for customers to order carry-out food and either pick it up curbside or have it delivered. Lots of other small businesses are also offering curbside pickup.
• Be Flexible. Many small businesses are trying out new ways to meet their customers’ needs and keep themselves solvent. Whether it’s an online class offered by your favorite yoga studio or phone video concierge shopping in your favorite bookshop, give them a try.
• Be patient. Remember that businesses are dealing with slowdowns due to the pandemic as well as supply chain disruptions and shutdowns. Remember, small business owners are parents and partners too who are dealing with online school and pandemic stress just like you. 

Sources:  Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Optimist Daily