5 Benefits to You and Your Community When You Shop Local
In recent years, a retail movement has occurred – “Shop Local”. The steady migration from big-box retailers has taken the nation by storm as people are becoming reintroduced to the craftsman, farmers, and providers of the area. When a consumer supports their local business owner, they enjoy benefits they can’t possibly get from shopping at national chains. But just how big of an impact can supporting the little guy really have in your area? Here are some of the top reasons to support your local entrepreneur in Webster County.
1. Improve Your Local Economy
When you buy local, significantly more money stays in the community. Even more interestingly, local business owners often have an incentive to support other small business, utilizing others services; while chains tend to stock themselves from a corporate supplier.
2. Better Customer Service
If you’ve ever dealt in an obstacle course that is “returning an item,” you find that getting the help you hoped for can be a nightmare. Often times if you are even able to dodge an automated call screening, you are met with a customer service representative who is far from within their power to help you.
When you shop local, the business owner is often directly involved with every employee, and thus, every transaction within the store. This leads to a personal approach to every situation that presents itself and every handled with care.
3. Keeping the Flavor
Small businesses allow for unique shopping opportunities that only your area gets! While a grand majority of towns across the nation have similar chain stores and restaurants, the hole in the wall place you get your tools or go to for your weekend breakfast is one-of-a-kind. Embrace your town’s business flavor, and take pride in knowing all the best-kept secrets and local hangouts.
4. Greater Personal Service
If you happen to be a long time veteran of the area, chances are you, and many others, have become regular faces. If you find yourself spending more time conversing with people you run into at the store than actually shopping, you may not consider the benefits of cozy town living. Chances are, your neighbors and friends are some of the same people you call neighbors, fellow church goers, or even the coaches and mentors to your children. What does that mean for you? The point is, when business owners know you on a personal level, they stand to be able to better tailor their services to meet your needs!
5. Improving Your Family’s Health
Buying home grown foods and produce is noted to have a wealth of underlying health benefits! When you buy from local providers, you reap the benefits of chemical-free, grass fed meats, fresh eggs, and dairy that’s devoid of questionable hormones and antibiotics. In addition, there are also seasonal allergy benefits to eating local honey—who knew?
