The importance of shopping local never occurred to me until I started noticing something happening in my neighborhood. Retail shops were going out of business, especially the small, mom-and-pop shops. Downtown, once sprinkled with quaint, locally-owned storefronts, was being taken over by globally recognized chains or simply left empty. Such a shame, I thought. Then, one particular store closing hit really close to home…
Farewell to an Institution
There’s a much beloved toy store in my city called Talbot’s Toyland. Or rather, there was a much beloved toy store. It permanently closed this month after 66 years in business. I felt a bit sick to my stomach when I saw the “Store Closing” signs plastered all over their windows. Talbot’s was an institution. Multiple generations of families shopped there for toys and gifts. Chances are, anyone who has children and lived in the SF Peninsula went to Talbot’s, if for nothing else, to see their kids faces light up as they walked through the doors.
Talbot’s was special. Places like it don’t exist anymore. The employees knew the hottest gift for a 3-year-old every year. They had a huge train set that circled one part of the store. They gift wrapped for free! While I don’t know the inside story of Talbot’s demise, I would venture to guess that the rise of Amazon had something to do with it. We all know you can’t beat the Behemoth.
But the Behemoth will never be “special”. While people love it for its convenience, value, and variety, the Behemoth will never have “heart.” People will never be sentimental or get teary-eyed about it. It’s utilitarian at best.
Change is Good, Right?
Maybe I am old-fashioned and don’t embrace change enough. We all can see that the future of shopping is changing dramatically. Brick-and-mortar shops are shuttering at an astounding pace. Maybe that’s OK. Change is good, right? But how will we replicate real community if we never need to leave our houses or talk to actual people in our neighborhoods? I know there are new online platforms popping up, like Nextdoor, trying to tackle this very problem. But nothing compares to good ol’ fashion interaction with a human.
There’s something very special about going to a store where you’re recognized. Your continued patronage is rewarded by making you feel known. You are reminded that you exist in the real world and not just in virtual form. Amazon may recognize us from our logins, search history, and orders, but it can never replace the sense of community that small, local businesses provide.
Why Shop Local?
OK, let’s be real for a minute. Even if you are a big supporter of the importance of shopping local, it’s very difficult to shop local all the time. There are items that cannot be found locally. Sometimes it’s simply not convenient to buy local. Despite all my ranting above, technology has created an amazingly efficient means for us to shop which frees up our time to do other things. That’s not a bad thing. However, our patronage in local businesses keeps them alive. And by keeping them alive, we invest in your community by:
- Giving the community a unique personality. Nothing makes a city more bland than a city block full of globally-recognized chain stores and restaurants. If your community has nothing unique to offer, what makes it any different from the city next door?
- Reinvesting in the local economy. Buying locally keeps the wealth in the community, instead of being funneled out to a large corporation in a different state (or country). It provides local jobs.
- Strengthening community bonds. We all need to get out of our houses. Or else we run the risk of becoming a hermit who sits in front of the computer all day. Get to know your local fishmonger, baker, or farmer. If you befriend them, maybe they’ll save the good stuff for you!
- Being more environmentally friendly. Many believe that when we buy local, goods typically travel shorter distances to reach us, which means less fuel consumption. This is especially true for produce. Whatever the case may be, wouldn’t you rather buy an apple from a farmer a few hours away than from an entirely different country?
Slow Down, Look Around
What it comes down to is being MINDFUL of ways to support local businesses. I’m sensing a trend here… In the busy-ness of our lives, we don’t slow down long enough to notice the small businesses around us. These places don’t have the multi-million dollar marketing budgets that national chains have to make sure we keep them top of mind. It requires us to pay attention.
Here are some local businesses I found in my area (SF North Peninsula) when I finally slowed down long enough to notice:
- Farmers Markets – CSM Farmers Market
- Book stores – Reading Bug (San Carlos), B Street Books, Kepler’s, Books Inc.
- Hobby & Toy shops – Ultimate Aquarium, Gator Games, Reach & Teach
- Cafes, Bakeries & Restaurants – Sibby’s Cupcakery, Backhaus, Fiero Cafe, Mints & Honey
Next time you’re out and about in your city, take notice of the local businesses. Do they provide an amazing cup of coffee? Great service? A friendly smile? Spot on advice on how to keep your fish alive? Then remember the importance of shopping local and make sure to show some love by spending some time and money there.