Buy Local

While I have previously addressed the benefits of buying local rather than from chains which remove the profits from the community, media activity in the past two days prompts me to revisit the issue.

Yesterday NPR’s Talk of the Nation Program interviewed Maggie Anderson, of Chicago, who is on a year-long experiment  buy only from black-owned businesses. It is her intent to keep profits in the pockets of her fellow African-Americans in Chicago. She drives up to 20 miles out of her way to buy products from locally owned (not franchised) businesses. While she regrets the fuel she uses driving, she not only is helping and encouraging the local black-owned businesses, but she is also saving money! That is no surprise (to me), as the national chains have perpetuated a myth that they always have lower prices. I applaud Maggie.

This morning I opened an e-mail from COSE (Cleveland’s Council of Smaller Enterprises) with the subject: “Are you keeping our local economy healthy?”. It is touting July 4 – 11 as the regional buy local week. Sponsored by COSE’s I Buy NEO initiative, “This program is designed to engage, educate and empower people to take action in their communities by spending locally whenever possible. Now more than ever, it is critical that people understand the impact of purchases as simple as buying fruit, ordering pizza, or getting their hair done. Our local businesses are what drive jobs, economic growth and income for a stable tax-base. Keeping our local businesses healthy is what will keep our economy healthy. And if everyone does their part, significant impacts can be made.”–quotes are from the e-mail.

The e-mail goes on to say: “If everyone in Northeast Ohio (NEO) pledges to redirect $100 of planned spending to locally owned businesses during Buy Local Week July 4th through July 11th, we can make a significant difference – an amazing additional $48 million dollars will be pumped into the local economy.”

I’m delighted that spring is here and farmer’s markets are back in business, as I love not only the fresh locally owned food, but also helping out the local businesses.

What are you doing to help your local businesses survive and thrive?

Will Limkemann
www.siqualtd.com

Buy Local

The vital core of our economy is comprised of small businesses. Most new jobs are created by small businesses. Small businesses provide personal service with competitive pricing and are there when we need them.There is hardly a product or a service that is not of equal or better quality found in a large chain stores that is not available from a local merchant, warehouse, or manufacturer.

Why then do we insist on shopping at the big-box stores, or even on the Internet? While big box stores pay taxes, profits are sent away to fat cats who care not about our local economy. Internet sites don’t even pay local taxes!

If you own a business, you count on local people to purchase your goods and services. Do you return the favor?

Do you seek out the many wonderful locally owned restaurants in your community, or do you take your family to national chains? Do you retain a far-off consultant instead of finding an equally competent person in your own back yard? Do you purchase hardware or lumber from local merchants or do you go to the big box stores?

My wife and I buy groceries exclusively from local chain markets, notably Heinens. Friends have often commented that this is a luxury as we are paying too much for our groceries. This is a myth perpetuated by the large chains. My wife has comparison shopped on more that one occasion and has found Heinens prices to be competitive, and in some cases lower, than the Giant Eagle chain stores nearby.

In Nothern Ohio COSE is sponsoring a campaign to encourage people to buy locally. I encourage you to visit www.ibuyneo.com to check it out.

It may be convenient to purchase on-line or at a big-box store. But, is it the right thing to do? Is it really helping the local economy? Do the right thing. Support your local businesses.

Buy From Local Businesses

Michael Simon, the Iron Chef, was the first keynote speaker at the COSE Small Business Conference in Cleveland two weeks ago. He is now running two successful upscale restaurants in Cleveland and has great respect not only locally but nationally as well.

In his remarks to the 1200 business owners present, one of his most poignant statements was that local businesses should buy from local businesses. His thesis was this: How can you expect people to buy from your local business, if you are buying from Walmart and Home Depot rather than local privately owned companies? Michael said that when he needs hardware he will drive right by Home Depot and go to the local store, even if it is not as convenient. He said that he hoped he never caught anybody in the room walking into Walmart!

Cleveland is blessed with a wonderful chain of locally owned grocery stores called Heinens. They are competitive with national chains, yet many business people buy from Giant Eagle!

I think Michael is right – whenever you contemplate a purchase ask whether you are benefiting a local business which, today, is struggling for every dollar. Or are you padding the pockets of an anonymous national chain.