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With the holidays coming I thought I'd share my thoughts on supporting your local business.
With today's economy, we need more than ever to make a concerted effort to spend our money locally and support our local merchants.
I try to do most of my shopping locally or here in town but I couldn't help but wonder if there isn't more that I can do.
It's sometimes difficult to shop locally when you're tempted by the big box giants that dominate production and sales - not to mention the online websites enjoying no rent, much less overhead and the ability of offer cut-throat pricing and offers of "free" shipping.
But who are the people behind these businesses?
Do they care about their customers?
Who do you speak to when you have a problem or a complaint?
Our local businesses provide us with more options and better customer service than the big box stores and websites can offer. With local business the likelihood of developing a friendly relationship with the owner or the employees is real and there are the added benefits of ease in transactions, returns and potential problem solving.
If I have a hardware or lumber problem at Home Depot, can I call, ask for and actually speak to the owner - as I can with Scott at Concord's Vanderhoof Hardware or Al Foss at Concord Lumber Corp?
If I have a request for a special occasion cake can I call Costco and speak to the baker - as I can when I call Concord's Sally Ann's and speak with Bill?
For example, I recently started using a local, Acton, MA based trash contractor instead of the national company Waste Management. The company is called Greenbagpickup.com and I use them to pick up my dumpster bags.
What I like about them the most is they're local and they have excellent customer service. Their catch phrase is "Your Junk, Their Bag, Our Service". They pick up any brand dumpster bag.
For this reason and more, as long as I can recall, I have tried to do most of my shopping here in town.
Local business owners have typically invested their life savings in their business and help provide a positive contribution to our town's long-term fiscal health and quality of life. They create jobs, boost the local tax base and are invested in the fabric of our town.
Local businesses employ and hire an array of direct and supporting local services: architects, designers, tradesmen (carpenters, electricians, painters and plumbers, sign makers), accountants, lawyers, insurance brokers, computer consultants, and advertising agencies to help run and maintain their businesses.
As a resident of this town I believe it's my responsibility to ensure that our community character endures through these tough economic times and to help prevent the disturbing disappearance of local stores and businesses whose owners have helped define our sense and pride of place. Let's never forget that their survival depends on our patronage.
Related post:
Toss Your Holiday Woes: Gift Giving Made Simple And Easy
Today's Project:
This porch fit into one dumpster bag.
Photo: 10' x 10' screen porch
Photo: Porch removed. Roof supported and yes we saved the steps as "construction steps"
Photo: Screen porch ready for GREENBAGPICKUP.COM
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