Invest in What You Love: Shop Local This Holiday Season
You’ve probably heard a lot about small businesses this year, and that’s both a good thing and a bad thing. From the onset of the pandemic, locally-owned businesses have suffered a great deal. With that, a great deal of focus has been placed on what those businesses mean for our communities. But focus isn’t enough, now is the time to put our money where our mouth is and support what we love.
Holidays Like No Other
This holiday season is already shaping up to be different than any other. We’ve been encouraged to celebrate Thanksgiving with just immediate family, Black Friday has been spread out through the entire month of November, and it looks like some retailers in certain states will be locked down entirely, at least for a short time.
Unfortunately, locally-owned businesses are again poised to take the biggest hit. In the middle of the 2010 recession, American Express dubbed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday, a day when consumers were encouraged to shop small. While the worthwhile mission has taken off quite successfully, to put it frankly, one day is simply not enough — especially this year.
It’s even more vital for individuals, communities, and business owners to band together to not only support local businesses but also regularly invest in them. Love, support, and reviews are great, but they do not keep doors open and employees at work. Money does.
Shop Local
When we think of small businesses, we tend to think about quintessential main street mom and pop shops. Not that they don’t need your support — they do — but there are businesses well beyond your favorite coffee shop or burger joint that you can support.
When shopping this year, whether for yourself or gifts, think of other types of businesses you can patronize. Dry cleaners, car detailers, florists, photographers, and even Etsy shop owners are all small businesses that could use a lift this season. Also, keep in mind that many of the big names you see are in fact locally-owned. Many of these types of establishments will have a sign or sticker stating ‘Locally-owned and operated’ — be sure to give them some love too!
Additionally, if you use this season for charitable giving, as so many do, there’s a way to kill two birds with one stone. Instead of just writing a check to your national charity, go shopping for Giving Tuesday. Shop local and then donate the locally-purchased items to local charities; this benefits both the businesses and local nonprofits.
The year has been challenging for millions of Americans. But thanks to technology, there are still millions who are healthily employed. If you are one of those who have the means, now is your chance to shine.
What Does it Matter?
Locally-owned businesses are the lifeblood of our local and national economies. It’s estimated that for every dollar spent at a local business, more than half stays in that community. That’s four times more than if that dollar were spent at a big-box national retailer.
Keeping money local does a few things. First, it keeps the sales and property taxes where they are, allowing that money to be reinvested in your roads and schools, and in supporting your first responders. It also helps create local jobs. Local businesses are much better than online retailers at creating more jobs per dollar spent. Spending locally often means supporting a family’s livelihood and their own quest at pursuing the American dream.
This year, it looks as though more businesses will be shutting down permanently than in any other year — an estimated 60% have already shut their doors for good. I feel sad whenever I see a local business shut down. This year, let’s do better to support those supporting our local economy.
If you want something to stick, you have to support it.
