BUT I CAN BUY IT ONLINE!
I can get it for cheaper.
I don’t have to get out of my chair.
They don’t have what I want.
The heartfelt refrain. I do understand all the reasons. I really do.
BUT for over 50 years I have been in business. When people buy from the larger stores or online, well, that is problematic for many of the smaller local businesses. When they run to the internet, who loses?
The holidays are upon us. Here we are in 2020 with COVID seemingly ruling our systems and our lives. What are we going to do?
“I can buy it online! I do not have to go anywhere!”
You’re right. But how many local businesses are doing their best? Digging in? Risking so much? A lot! I know because just as our company is doing, so are many small business folks. They are my friends and doing the best they can. They are our neighbors. Can you help them? Will you?
“Yes, I will. What do I need to do?” (Glad you asked! ? )
Here are some suggestions.
- Find out if your favorite local store has an online shop
- Buy gift cards to use later
- Get takeout/delivery
- Tip big
- Like and share your favorite local businesses and how you engage with them while sheltering, use #ShopLocal365
- Maintain your memberships
- Call a retailer and arrange a curbside pickup
Did you know that local small businesses will more often utilize the services of other small businesses in the community? Employ people AND pay them better? Keep the money in the community?
For years, we have known:
- Buying locally strengthens communities. Local purchases keep the wealth in our neighborhoods, increasing the prosperity for the people around us instead of going to a far-away corporation.
- Buying locally reduces the fuel necessary to acquire goods for our homes, businesses, and bellies. Why buy food that travels thousands of “food miles” if we can buy fresh, local produce here?
- Buying locally demonstrates community pride. By patronizing a local hardware store instead of a big box alternative, we contribute to helping a local business stay in business in today’s challenging economic climate. Customer service is more personalized, and we get to see the same familiar faces each time we visit.
- Buying locally gets us out of the house or office and outside onto the street where we interact, connect and network with others who live and work around us. In doing so, we expand our own community sphere.
- Buying locally increases our knowledge of available and productive resources in our community, which could serve as a lifeline in the event of a disaster. While we like to focus on the positive, we live in a world where disasters happen. Having a strong and sustainable local infrastructure and food network is not just smart. It’s essential.
- Buying locally enables us to invest directly into our local economy. By contributing to a local business we help to preserve existing local jobs and create new skilled jobs. Local businesses are also the most ardent supporters of local parks, libraries, events, and the great area amenities that make communities unique. (Civic Economics studied the local economic return from independent businesses and found that on average 48% of revenue from independent businesses is recirculated locally. Chain retailers, by contrast, recirculate only 13.6% of their revenues in the localities where they do business. When you factor in buying local products at a local independent store, that percentage is even higher.)
- Buying locally builds trust and positivity, opens minds and hearts, and makes us more independent as a community. A more connected community is safer, more resilient, and self-reliant in times of uncertainty.
For over 25 years, I have promoted local businesses. (In 1996, my first internet company brought the local purchase through our site to Vermont businesses, with over 1 million visits a month. In 2000, I began a number of local newspapers that promoted local businesses and positive news. 2001 I took over a general manager for a group of radio stations and worked hard to develop local content to promote local business and provide local content whenever and wherever I could.)
Here I am today, looking at local businesses, hearing of some who are calling it quits. (At the beginning of this “COVID crisis”, one of my favorite places closed.) So…
I want to help. Help every small business out there to the best of my ability. Will you consider working together?
Good. Like Oprah, there are “gifts” for everyone. We need something good to be going for us. (Only this morning I heard local ski areas had no snowmaking. Can that be? What happens to the area businesses.)
Are you in business? Here is what I am going to do.
For free until the end of the year. Send me up to 300 words about your business. Include things like who you are, what you do, and what your community means to you. Send me a couple of pics or a video. Email it to me. (Family-friendly businesses, please.)
What will I ask?
I am not going to make anyone do anything. If you want to help, you can share our site, our posts. Join our pages and our groups. Participate. Feel free to make a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit, buy merchandise or purchase additional advertising.
