Why shop local?

Shopping local is a catch phrase being bandied about lately. It deserves a bit of attention, because shopping local is important to keeping your downtown business district vibrant and viable. 

It's been argued that when you support your local businesses, 68 to 82% of each $1.00 spent gets reinvested in your community. Wow!  When chain stores get that same $1.00, the figure drops to 25 to 43% is reinvested. Quite a difference. 

The following list is from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance about why you should choose to shop local:

1. Local Character and Prosperity

2. Community Well-Being

3. Local Decision-Making

4. Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy

5. Job and Wages.

6. Entrepreneurship

7. Public Benefits and Costs

8. Environmental Sustainability

9. Competition

10. Product Diversity

Think of the impact you could make by shifting your spending habits by as little as 10% at local small businesses!

Feel free to share ways you "Shop local" and as always, contact Friends of Norwood Center with your ideas and feedback. (norwoodcenter@gmail.com) 

Thanks for reading!
Kim Weineck, Downtown Manager