Why do you shop locally?
OK, everyone! We know you’re here because you love supporting local businesses … we’re working on a story in our spring issue of LS1 magazine, and we’d love your input! Please share your thoughts here.
If you’re a biz owner, please include name of your shop.
Our super-awesome magazine editor Marisa Barbosa will go through the responses, and follow up with the ones she likes best! Please do NOT email your answers … we’re swamped with emails these days … so we’re accepting entries only through comments below. Thanks!
So, tell us … Why do you shop locally?
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I shop locally to support my neighbors and businesses. When i buy locally i know that the piece of art i just purchased came from an artist I know down the street. And, when i buy local produce, i know who the farmer and what his or her growing practices are. I moved my account from a large chain bank to a local community bank to support small businesses – it was one of the best moves i have ever made. My bank knows me, greets me by name, and treats me the way i treat my neighbors. Shopping locally is all about keeping neighborhoods thriving and vibrant.
There’s no place like home…and without independent small businesses home wouldn’t be the same. Small independent businesses are the backbone of our community. As shoppers we feel it is important to shop locally to support our local economy & to keep the small mom & pop businesses, like ourselves, in business. As business owners we feel that it is important to show our customers that we appreciate them by giving back to the community with our yearly charity pond tour, the backyard makeover contest & free educational classes & fun events. It’s wonderful that LocalShops1 is here to give the small business company a united voice & to help shoppers see that they can get everything they need right in their own backyard.
Our company name is Backyard Getaway & our website is http://www.backyardgetaway.net
Shopping local is like paying it forward. You aren’t just supporting your local restaurant. You are supporting your local baker, grower, florist, etc. Shopping at a local children’s resale shop like Ollie’s Treehouse not only supports my Mom, but it supports all the wonderful families that choose to sell their gently used items to Ollie’s. Local shops also know local shops. So at Ollie’s you may learn about other wonderful local businesses like Thomas Bruce Photography, StrollerFit St. Pete or about Local Shops 1!!
I love to support all of the wonderful people in our area! Animals by Nature strives to support many local groups and individuals from domestic and wildlife rescues, artists, authors and more! We must take care of the people and pets in our own community!
I like supporting local, independent business for several different reasons.
First, it is more fun. It is simply a cooler experience to go to the same place and see the same people and get to know them. Local businesses aren’t bogged down with a lot of rules written by middle-management folks a thousand miles away. This means they can take chances and do interesting things. They They can work on local collaborative projects or charities at the drop of a hat, if they want. All this results in a cooler environment and feel for their customers.
Second, I can relate to them. I know that at the end of the day, they count up the register and then on their way home they are thinking about how to make their business better – not how to get out of the next project or assignment – because that is how they will survive. I know how hard they work, because you have to work that hard (and you have to WANT to work that hard) to own a small business.
Third, if they are local it is more likely that Bright Eyes does business with them. It is therefore in my interest to help them out. And even if we not directly deal with them, I know that my friends do and I want my friends and everyone else in the community to be successful as well.
So simply put: local businesses are cooler, harder-working, and more likely to benefit me and my friends in the long run. That is why I shop locally.
I shop locally because my dog makes me do it!
He LOVES DOG friendly shops and restaurants!!!
HINT HINT HINT!!!
Angela and Bailey
South Tampa
Like others have said, I love to support local artists, local merchants, and the local community. It helps build a strong local economy. If I need a gift for someone and don’t make them something myself, then I want to buy them something from another local artist to give them. Why go out of town when Bradenton and the Village of the Arts has so much to offer, wonderful eateries and every type of original art you can imagine in a price range to fit everybody’s budget. I also support other local artists by showing their work in my Gallery. I also love being a Gallery owner in the Village of the Arts, I love to meet people and tell them about my work and the other artists I feature in my Gallery, and about the Village. Each piece of jewelry I design or each silk scarf I paint is like one of my own children. I hate to part with them once they are created, but also at the same time I so love that people love my work and want to wear it.
Like others have said, I love to support local artists, and local merchants. It helps build a strong local economy. If I need a gift for someone and don’t make them something, then I want to buy them something from another local artist. Why go out of town when Bradenton and the Village of the Arts has so much to offer, wonderful eateries and every type of original art you can imagine in a price range to fit everybody’s budget. I also support other local artists by showing their work in my Gallery. I also love being a gallery owner in the Village, I love to meet people and tell them about my work and the other artists I feature in my gallery, and about the Village.
I love creating ‘Art you can Wear’. My jewelry and had painted silks are a fun part of me that I love share with others.