Part of the global problem has been simply the choices people made in shopping for convenience and price, and ignoring the value of quality products, service, and perhaps most importantly - supporting independent locally-owned businesses. The result has been an economic shift to larger, cheaper, more convenient, corporate-owned businesses,where money flows out of the community. Supporting a local business will keep the money within the community a lot longer. Make no mistake-I am NOT opposed to corporate-owned stores. In fact, small, independent coffeehouses everywhere owe some of there success to the impact that Starbucks has made on our culture - people looking for that "Third Place" between work and home.
However, the success of our small towns rests with the support of the small business owner, the entrepreneur, and the "mom-and-pop" stores. While corporate stores may locate and invest in downtowns, a downtown without proper balance of local and regional investment is unhealthy. I would submit that the presence of some corporate investment is a healthy sign that can lend credibility to downtowns. However, every dollar put in a local owner's pocket is more likely to be spent at local stores and restaurants, and on local services.Inevitably, the money taken in by local owners is diffused regionally, nationally, and internationally due to inadequate local choices to spend this money. However, the more local businesses are supported, the more new local businesses open, and hence more opportunity to support the local economy. Interestingly, I was at 16 Hands Gallery in Ann Arbor a few months ago and picked up a postcard about Think Local First, a network of locally-owned businesses that is all about the many ways supporting local business benefits and is more gratifying to you and your community. I really loved the back of the card, listing the seven reasons to shop local. I plan on exploring the membership benefits and consider joining.
Our specialty coffee roaster, supplier, and partner, CrimsonCup understands the value and impact of locally-owned businesses. They also understand what it takes to support and grow small businesses. This includes supporting the community around you. They recently helped us run a nurses promotion in May and will assist us with a back-to-school promotion in September. Part of their latest brand evolution is a "Drink Local" mark, which we really dig. Look for t-shirts and mugs at Uptown soon with this on the back.
What do you think the role of locally and corporate-owned stores should be in downtown revitalization? How can we get the message out about the value of supporting locally-owned businesses?
