Why shop local?
When you shop local, you invest in your community, in your neighbors, and in yourselves. In this economic climate, the best return on investment is in local business. It is estimated that for every dollar you spend, twice as much will be reinvested in the community by a local store than a national store.
A few good reasons to shop at locally-owned businesses:
1. Significantly more money re-circulates in Washington when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms.
2. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in our area provide the most new jobs to residents.
3. Local business owners invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
4. Non-profits receive greater support: Non-profit organizations receive an average 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
5. Customer service is better: Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.