Tuesday, July 2, 2013

SHOP LOCAL

It is no secret that I am a HUGE supporter of local shopping.  Being raised by parents who owned a clothing store along with both sides if my grandparents, each at one time or another owning a grocery store, you can say it's just in my blood.  Maybe it's the reason I love to shop local boutiques, furniture stores, grocery stores and eat at locally owned restaurants.  There is just something about the appreciation of spending your money in a family owned business. It's why I love living in a small city, walking into a local shop and the employees calling you by name, knowing just what you love, is comforting. It shows that they care about you as their customer.  Many "Mom & Pop" stores are just that, literally ran by a husband and wife or their family.  Being a former business owner, I know the many, many hours put into making a business successful; the many sleepless nights of worry.  With that being said, I also know the rewards that come with owning your own business. The rewards FAR outweigh the worry, but it's just one thing that one who wants to be successful can't help (at least not on my end).
I encourage everyone to get out and shop your locally owned businesses. This is your community. These businesses support building a better and safer living environment for you and your family.  68% of every dollar spent stays local.  These businesses help support your little league teams, churches, schools, libraries and much, much more.  If just one person were to shift 10% of your spending from chains to local businesses, it would bring millions of dollars additionally to your community's economy.  SO GET OUT THERE AND SHOP WITH YOUR LOCAL OWNERS!!  I know they would appreciate it and you will reap the benefits in many ways!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!