Why Shop Small?
By Emma Herrle
Looking ahead with the giving season mounting the horizon, it pays to think small and support local businesses in Greene County. As you seek out unique, personalized items for the gift-giving season, think about spending a leisurely afternoon browsing the many niche businesses of Greene County.
Christmas Tree at Gloria’s Ceramics and Greene Gifts
Photo by Gloria’s Ceramics and Greene Gifts
Why Shop Greene?
There are so many reasons to support small businesses and shop local!
Amish Jam at Hungarian Smokehouse
It Builds Local Communities and the Local Economy
When you support a local business, you are supporting your friends, family, and neighbors. This opens the door to relationships, collaboration, community growth, and opportunities. In addition, buying local has the power to push the economy to new heights of positive growth. One-hundred dollars spent at a local business equals sixty-eight dollars in revenue for the local community, while chain stores only produce forty-three dollars. As this money finds its way from the business into local city funds, it can be used to revitalize neighborhoods, create an influx of migrants to the area, and an upsurge in the job market. The most important thing to remember is that when you support a local business, tax dollars stay local and reenter the community. A small business has the potential to be a big boost in the economy and that starts with you, the shopper.
The Perfect Arrangement and Lily Bee’s
They Provide Priceless Products and Shopper Experiences
You never know what to expect when entering a small, unique business within your community, and you can never be dulled by the mundane uniformity typical of large corporations. The ordinary small business is typically not ordinary at all. Each one comes with unique products that quite literally cannot be found anywhere else. They also cultivate unique, personal relationships as you meet the owners and staff who may share life on the same streets as you. Products are often hand-made, crafted with careful TLC, or are accompanied with a rich back-story as to why an owner or family chose to open their business and sell their craft. Often, local businesses will hold tastings, product demos, product samples, and special events on the weekends to draw in crowds. These can create priceless memories and offer experiences that the whole family can enjoy.
Hilltop Packs Coffee Company
Unique, Niche Businesses Draw Tourists and Neighboring Communities
Since they offer products, services, and food that is typically not common to any other area, local businesses can draw tourists seeking out a unique experience. Further opportunities arise when neighboring communities unite, resulting in a more vast, economical impact and overarching communal growth. Cross-county connections make for a stronger network of likeminded individuals supporting small businesses and those who work hard to keep their facilities up and running. Not to mention, tourism is a powerful instrument for any economy, and for those with a narrower scope of tourist attractions, small businesses play a key role in driving visitors.
Dinner with Pup at Kiln to Table
Local Businesses Promote Further Local Entrepreneurship and Innovative Growth
When a local business owner becomes a success in the community, it can be the right encouragement for other people to take the plunge and also become local entrepreneurs. They may be able to take unique angles with their products or services and form collaborative relationships with other small businesses of their caliber. Established and emerging small businesses have the opportunity to build mentorship relationships between one another as well. Established business owners can be a vital resource for prospective business owners and can lend their knowledge so that the new business owner is equipped with the right tools to grow their companies.
Pastries at Rising Creek Bakery
There isn’t really a downside when it comes to shopping locally. Local businesses are invested fully in making their communities and economies stronger. Join them in this movement and support and shop local. Your dollar has the power to fuel prosperity in Greene County.
Mickeys Mens Store
