Thursday, December 1, 2022

SMALL & LOCAL


I never got into or appreciated small business shopping, and the local experience till I moved to Bucks County, where more than half of eateries and shops and business are small businesses, and some of the towns even have ordnances so big box and chains can't move it!!! I was in love instantly and haven't looked back since. I strongly believe, while yes, they do tend to be more expensive for certain things, their goods are well made and often nice quality, you get a sense of your money doing better and returning it and keeping it in your community, not a greedy chain or big corp, there is a nice sense of community, and you are more genuinely thanked for your patronage, and get far better customer service. Since the pandemic, the years have taken a toll, with most small businesses needing to re-work and evolve to try to survive. The holiday season is often a make or break for many small shops and such, but there are many ways to help and just why more should care.  What better time to start shopping local to try the little bookshop, the floral shop, the farmers stand, the little local ACE Hardware, the cute boutiques and family-owned eateries. I mean, we all KNOW how and what I think of Amazon!!!!

First micro and small businesses have a large and positive impact on their local area. Dollars spent at small places tend to remain within the local community. When you shop locally, those dollars stay in the community and support other local development. Additionally, small places support community, and create more jobs than larger corporation. It may seem unlikely, but according to Small Business Association, since 1990, small businesses have created over 8 million jobs while big box and businesses have eliminated 4 million jobs...including Amazon among others. Even though only 21.5% of small businesses are employers, they provide jobs to almost half the workforce


Small businesses are more likely to give back and support charities. They are also often more generous as well. Infact, small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to nonprofits and community causes. Small businesses support sustainability. The size of smalls allows for flexibility that makes them leaders in sustainability and gives them the means to source locally and ethically. The shorter journey from maker to buyer often allow for greater transparency in ingredients and materials and often fresher produced and baked goods.

Now that I've talked about the why, it's how you can help. The obvious first step is to choose to support small businesses with our purchases all across the boards, especially during this crucial time of year. Shop SMALL eat LOCAL! Take a look around your town and see where you can take your dollars.  Keeping Covid in mind, you can also easily maintain safety protocols and still support your local shops. Many offer far better attention to customers, have contactless pickup, and have private shopping appointments, and have their own websites for added online shopping options.


I'm with about 50% of the millennials and have no problem paying a little more for things if the service is better and the quality of the goods is finer, better made goods, and unique pieces, or better tasting foods and baked goods. Who doesn't like the feel and experience of shopping little charming towns and cities? Now I'm not saying every purchase needs to be bought at small business, but why not share the wealth?  I also will never understand why people have also got to have things yesterday...a perk I hear to Amazon.  I will still pass. If we don't soon get better with supporting these fine folk, we're soon to see the charm gone ... replaced with ghost towns and boring cookie cutter box stores filled with disposable goods, and employees who stand like robots, ready to serve the mass consumers. We are truly in a state of use them or lose them. Our choices do have power and it's up to us how important our community is and how precious small shopping can be, across the nation.

Ok... climbing off my soapbox now.

27 comments:

  1. That's me! I go to an old timey butcher, a fish market and NO chain restaurants. I am on Am Prime for the hard to find stuff. But I never wander more than a couple of miles from the house. BTW, how's the MX5 doin? Which model did you get? *scratches balls*

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    1. I'm the same way Jimmy, and isn't it nice when they know you by name!!! My lands, what reminded you of the MX5? I still love it, and almost use to it being a two-seater. Rides so nice, but it is small, compared to the Sport 3 tourings I had...so it's only front seat action sweet cheeks.

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  2. I too would much rather shop, eat and buy at small local independent stores and restaurants. Not always possible, alas, but worth trying to make the effort.

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  3. I agree. All my shopping is done locally in Bala Cynwyd. I avoid big store anymore. Not to mention buying locally means less shipping and a smaller carbon footprint for the environment.

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  4. Living in P-town, and everything being small and local owned, I would feel very intimidated to shop in big stores.

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  5. It's funny that since we moved to a small town it seems perfectly normal to shop local. I guess because you get to know shopkeepers and such so you want to support them.

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    1. I agree Bob. Where I lived in Bucks County you almost had to shop small, or drive some time if you wanted malls and chain stores. I miss that. But even in Philadelphia, it's mostly small, owned shops and such.

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  6. Small businesses are a mixed bag for me. A lot of the owners here in South Carolina are right wing a holes

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    1. Oh, this is sad. Here we used to use a glass repair place that did good work, and the guy retired and sold it to a real crazy, right wing guy. It was almost frightening being in there. We haven't been back.

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  7. Excellent post! I agree, I think we know when to shop local and what things we get at chains. I once read a report of this and if every household spent just $10 a month at a locally owned or family business, instead of a national chain, over 9.3 billion would be directly returned to our local economies.

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  8. Please stay up on that soapbox all you like. That's what I love about you.

    I had to buy a new coffeemaker from Bezos that arrived today. No one carries it in store locally. I'll blog about that later.

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  9. I have almost always shopped small or local owned places, even for hardware needs. Most of these stores I find groups of employees talking, or tasking. I often have to go find the help. Simply put, small businesses create rich, diverse, and enticing Main Streets and city blocks. It's fun to stroll down the block and take in all that the small businesses that our communities offer. And let's face it, while the big chains might offer a bit of convenience with their one-click buying options, who really wants big box shop after big box shop taking over their neighborhoods - it's a virtual sea of "same old."

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  10. I'm with you. I loathe and cannot stand Amazon or any of that ilk. I'll gladly wait or go without. Some chains are fine, but overall small shops create what I call "wow" moments day in and day out, moments that simply can't be matched by those big chains.

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  11. Yay for small businesses, artists, and craft people! It's much nicer to give people something individual rather than an Amazon voucher.
    Sx

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  12. I love your wise point of view!

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    1. Is my point showing??? if it is, you can handle it.

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  13. I'm with you. It's not always possible but, when it is, I love shopping small and local.

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  14. I used to be a chain shopper and big box shopper, but when I moved to Europe, it was the one thing that changed the most...I mostly shopped family owned and small business as compared to the US, there are far fewer chains and such then what the US has...and that's not a bad thing.

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    1. Most people who know me said I would do very well living in Europe, as they think it fits my lifestyle and outlook more than here in the US. Make room Magpie, I'm moving in!!!!!

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  15. Did you mention quaint? I didn't see it. Local establishments have a certain clientele who bring a comfy attitude with them when they shop. The experience is casual, not rushed, where browsing is the word of the day.

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  16. Pat Lark12/02/2022

    We shop local businesses as much as we possibly can all year long. It's important to keep local alive and well.

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  17. I'd shop local if I had the energy, but having my groceries delivered once a week saves me dragging myself out to do the rounds of all the local shops and then there's all the driving I'd have to do with diesel at outrageous prices.

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  18. Anonymous12/02/2022

    Tundra Bunny here... You've raised some very valid points on your soapbox today, Mistress Maddie! What gets me is the nerve of large box-stores such as Walmart moving to self-checkout like they can't afford to pay their staff a living wage? Whenever possible, I like to shop at small, independent stores too. My best strategy, I think, is to buy better quality goods that last a few years and reduce my overall consumerism that way. I do the same with my groceries: buy only what I'll use that week so wastage is minimized.

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    1. I'm like you to Tundra...with clothing and home furnishings I'm a snob, I'd admit. I will pay for good quality...and they last me several years. I have some cashmere sweaters about 9 years old at this point. We too shop weekly for food provisions.

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  19. I do agree! We support local businesses as much as we can. Jx

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  20. I'm all across the board when I shop, but I'm trying to shop smaller these days. And eat at local places more.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!