Spend Your Money With Local Businesses

If you don’t know that these are difficult times you are either very rich or have just woke up from a five year nap.  This is not your father’s recession, it’s closer to your grandfather’s depression.  Millions of Americans are out of work and more soon will be. Large and small businesses are feeling the pain right along with the rest of us.  Most large businesses will survive due to their easier access to credit.  Unfortunately, many local businesses will not – unless you act like the government and provide your own bailout package.

No doubt you are spending less during these challenging times, but most of you are still spending.  My request is that you consciously spend more with local businesses and retailers.  Buy that new winter coat from a local clothing retailer.  Your purchases may help make the difference between survival and bankruptcy for small businesses in your area.  Nordstrom’s and Macy’s will probably survive without you.

Why spend your money with small businesses in your area? 

 

• Besides altruistic reasons, you are much more likely to get a great deal from your local small business. You are often dealing with the owner who may give you coupons or discounts to move merchandise. Sure, the big chains have sales but local retailers are in survival mode and NEED to move merchandise even at a discounted rate. 
• Small businesses add soul to our communities.  They reflect local tastes in the goods and services they provide. Many sell innovative goods big retailers won’t touch in their need to be all things to all people. 
• They are important in the creation of jobs. They are often better places to work and care more for their employees than large companies.

 

Some day this recession will end and you will want your community to be more than just big box stores that all sell the same merchandise.  By consciously spending more of your money with local businesses you will help insure your community still retains them when the economy returns to normal.