Why shop local? Here are 10 reasons given by an Ann Arbor retailer
Local retailers hope the "buy local" movement gains momentum during the holiday season.
After a slow spring and summer, how they fare in the remaining weeks of 2009 may determine who survives - and who next leaves Ann Arbor's business landscape.
While reporting a recent article on the local outlook, I talked to Tricia Masing, co-owner of Tree Town Toys, who offered a list of 10 reasons that Ann Arbor residents should spend their money in independent stores.
She followed up with an email, saying "One of our fellow toy retailers hands out flyers to their customers to educate them on shopping local."
The points in those flyers, as written by Masing and framed as why a shopper made the right choice:
1. You kept dollars in our economy For every $100 you spend at one of our local businesses, $68 will stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community.
2.You embraced what makes us unique You wouldn’t want your house to look like everyone else’s in the U.S. So why would you want your community to look that way?
3. You created local jobs Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
4. You helped the environment Buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation, less packaging, and products that you know are safe and well made, because we stand behind them.
5. You nurtured community We know you, and you know us. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.
6. You conserved your tax dollars Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong—right here in your community!
7. You created more choice We pick the items we sell based on what we know you like and want. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because we buy for our own individual market.
8.You took advantage of our expertise You are our friends and neighbors, and we have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. We’re passionate about what we do. Why not take advantage of it?
9. You invested in entrepreneurship Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business en- sures a strong community.
10.You made us a destination The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests. This benefits everyone!
AnnArbor.com is covering Holiday '09, reporting on the local shopping season. Send us story ideas by email.
Comments
Rebecca Dunkle
Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : 9:10 p.m.
I hope people consider local artists and craftspeople when they plan to shop locally. The upcoming Art in the Park Fundraiser for the Ypsilanti Senior Center (Saturday Nov. 14, 10 - 3 am, at the Center at 1015 N Congress)showcases more than thirty independent artists from the Ann Arbor-Ypsi area. All media and prices ranges, there will be some great gift opportunities - unique, and one of the many ways to support truly local shopping!
dotdash
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 11:48 a.m.
There is a large contingent of foreign car owners out there who would love to buy American cars to support American workers. Sadly, they have to swallow the bitter pill of also supporting terrible mismanagement, bad decision-making, and horrible waste by upper brass to do so. The sight of those Chrysler execs in their private plane going to Washington to beg to be bailed out was the symbol of why people buy Hondas. Personally, my next car will be an American-made one, but that decision is not the slam dunk it should or could be.
uawisok
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 10:36 a.m.
Read up all you foreign made car owners as you drive to the downtown retailer you will be filled with a sense of community pride as your larger purchase has had a much larger negative impact on thousands of Michigan families! When will people connect the dots and actually think about their purchases, It's all about me and my status symbol!!
Paula Gardner
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 10:30 a.m.
Great suggestion, EngineeringMom. Local giving is an important part of our family's holiday. As my kids get older, I'm able to get them more involved in it, too. There are so many good groups doing important things nearby. I also try to pick one specific group in the city of Detroit for a contribution - sometimes the Goodfellows, sometimes Gleaners Food Bank, but I'm open to whatever feels right - just to make sure that we don't ignore some of the enormous regional needs out there, too.
Hans Masing
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 10:27 a.m.
@EngineeringMom - Giving to LOCAL charities is huge, but don't forget that if you are buying for YOURSELF, buying local is best for everyone in your community.
EngineeringMom
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 9:38 a.m.
You can make an even bigger impact by GIVING local this holiday season. Is there someone on your shopping list who really has everything they need? Make a donation to a local charity in their name instead of buying them something they really don't need.
Rita
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:47 a.m.
Remember: the ultimate in "buying local" is buying a Ford, GM or Chrysler product.....buying one of these vehicles helps keeps jobs and tax paying citizens here in Michigan. People working in jobs that are dependent on the success of the domestic auto industry are your potential customers.
MjC
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:45 a.m.
I'm happy to buy local, but we're only looking for good deals and lots of savings this year. The budget is tight...
dotdash
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:19 a.m.
Be loyal, buy local! Another couple of reasons: 1) you see what you are buying. No wrong sizes, cheaper quality than it looked in the picture, etc. 2) No shipping or return fees.
Kristin Judge
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:11 a.m.
Now more than ever it is so important to shop local. Our economy and survival depends on it. Stay away from Walmart this holiday season. The $5 you save will cost the community much more. Remember Busch's, Meijer, Art Van, Big George's - These are Michigan Businesses. Let's all be part of the solution.
Kristin Judge
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:11 a.m.
Now more than ever it is so important to shop local. Our economy and survival depends on it. Stay away from Walmart this holiday season. The $5 you save will cost the community much more. Remember Busch's, Meijer, Art Van, Big George's - These are Michigan Businesses. Let's all be part of the solution.