11/30/2025
šļø Why Shop Local šļø
Today is āSmall Business Saturdayāā¦ a day you are encouraged to, if just for one day, get off Amazon and out of Home Depot & Walmart and consider buying a Christmas gift or two from a local restaurant or shopkeeper.
Why?
Beyond the obvious, let me tell you what Iāve noticed in my 62 years.
1- When a charity, cheerleading squad or little league team is fundraising and asks stores and restaurants if they will donate a gift certificate, a nicely framed picture, a simple peace of jewelry, car wash tickets, baked goods, candy, pretty much ANYTHINGā¦. itās the ālittle guyā who can LEAST afford it who stops everything, goes to the back office, smiles and says, āSure, why not.ā
Not always, but most of the time, getting a national retail chain to donate something for free is like getting an act of Congress passed. The local manager (who may well be a wonderful person) canāt do it without the three bosses above them signing off and by the time they get back to you the 7 year old cheerleadersā are now in college.
2- Neighbors helping neighbors. That shop owner literally is your neighbor. They often grew up in your town, had a dream, begged, borrowed & stole to get the money to open their doors and their margins are tighter than a duckās āyou know whatā at high tide.
That $12 dollar candle, the pretty $30 dollar scarf you buyā¦ those little purchases mean a lot. Trust me, Jeff Bezos doesnāt need another yacht.
Besides, you will very often find unique items at your local store, not the same 20 things everyone and anyone can find online.
3- Connection. Sometimes the BEST thing you can do for your health is to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE and off the computer. Breathe some fresh air. Meet people and make a connection, even if itās just a āhelloā and smile. Youāre human and ChatGBT is not your friend.
4- Self-interest. Have you seen what has happened to many of our once-thriving malls? Is that what you want your little downtown to look like or become? A ghost town of boarded up storefronts.
Believe meā¦
Your house is worth more if you have a nice shopping districtā¦. fine local restaurants nearby.
Donāt you want a main-street where you and your sweetie or kids can park the car, grab a coffee and scone and walk and enjoy. Even that guy with the crazy hair ābuskingā on the corner, belting out a James Taylor song is part of the rich tapestry that makes your city, town, villageā¦. charming.
Donāt lose that.
Shopping local is good for everyone.
Especially you š
