Friday, November 29, 2013

How to shop locally


    It should go without saying that everyone in Blaine County should shop locally—or risk seeing the stores and jobs we love disappear. There’s been far too much of that already.
    Yet, like other Americans, we are so programmed to find the cheapest whatsit, we too often ignore quality and convenience, overlook savings and forget the benefits of the social interactions we experience when shopping locally.
    Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a national effort by hometown businesses to put their best foot forward. But like locavores, who try hard to purchase food from local sources, local shoppers need to plan ahead and adopt a positive mindset.
    Think quality: Local business owners take a personal interest in ensuring that shoppers get what they want and don’t have to hang on hold at 1-800 if there’s a problem. They don’t sell cheap stuff that unravels or breaks. If it does, they make good on it.
    Think time savings: Most local businesses wrap gifts for free, which means serious time and money savings.
    Think gift certificates: Nearly every store, restaurant or service provider offers gift certificates or cards—favorites of teens and those hard to buy for.
    Think creatively: Stumped for a gift? Local staffers have great ideas that can result in unique and memorable gifts.
    Think friends and health: Research shows that caring and sharing are important to good health. Serendipitous moments with friends and neighbors encountered when shopping locally build tight communities and improve health.
    Think of getting $$ back: When money leaves our towns, it doesn’t come back. Kept here, it comes back in the donations every business makes to local organizations and causes.
    If the shopping dollars circulate at home, dividends will follow.




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