Ticked off about Lyme Community Group
A place for Lymies to get together to talk about things other than Lyme.
I read an article in the Sunday paper, that talks about a program where people are supporting their local economy by trying to spend 10% of what they spend today, at local businesses.
The idea isn't to get people to spend MORE, but rather to spend it differently. For example, a cup of coffee. Whether I get it at McD's (my favorite!), or Dunkin's, or a local coffee shop, it costs me the same, roughly.
BUT - if I buy it at the local coffee shop, I"m supporting a local business owner. Something like 75% of the money that a local business owner brings in, is in turn spent at other local biz's shops. (Not sure about that number, but I can vouch for my in-laws who owned their own biz before retiring; they ALWAYS shopped locally whenever they had that option). Another example is to eat at a local restaurant, pizza shop, etc, rather than one of the big chains.
I think this is a really cool idea. And something I feel I can do to make a little contribution to my town and the people in it. The local biz's also tend to hire from within the town.
Having heard about 2 biz's that are on the verge of going out of biz, and seeing a sign today for a 3rd that IS closing their doors, I thought I'd post something about it.
Jenn
ps - I stopped at a local donut shop this morning and got an egg sandwich for breakfast there; rather than at McD's or Dunkins. A small contribution, but it still felt kind of good :)
The idea isn't to get people to spend MORE, but rather to spend it differently. For example, a cup of coffee. Whether I get it at McD's (my favorite!), or Dunkin's, or a local coffee shop, it costs me the same, roughly.
BUT - if I buy it at the local coffee shop, I"m supporting a local business owner. Something like 75% of the money that a local business owner brings in, is in turn spent at other local biz's shops. (Not sure about that number, but I can vouch for my in-laws who owned their own biz before retiring; they ALWAYS shopped locally whenever they had that option). Another example is to eat at a local restaurant, pizza shop, etc, rather than one of the big chains.
I think this is a really cool idea. And something I feel I can do to make a little contribution to my town and the people in it. The local biz's also tend to hire from within the town.
Having heard about 2 biz's that are on the verge of going out of biz, and seeing a sign today for a 3rd that IS closing their doors, I thought I'd post something about it.
Jenn
ps - I stopped at a local donut shop this morning and got an egg sandwich for breakfast there; rather than at McD's or Dunkins. A small contribution, but it still felt kind of good :)
Thanks for posting this!
Also, it doesn't need to be an overhaul of how we shop. Just when it's possible, convenient, and roughly equal in value, it's a good thing to support our neighbors :)
I mean I nearly bought some grape tomatoes from Canada -- no offense to our friends across the border -- but they were 3.89 !
I promptly put them back.
This is a great idea, buying locally. We have a number of small businesses here in town, and we try to use them over the chains. Just a thought, though. McDonald's are franchised, which means, at least here, that the owners are local, the help is local and they contribute a lot to local activities, schools, fundraisers, etc.
I want to support our country but it took me hours the other day trying to look for brands made here. It is darn near impossible!!
I do agree though. Summer coming up help your locol farmer by purchasing there produce. It is likely to have less or no chemicals and it sure does taste good!!