With most of us done with our holiday shopping and buying patterns soon set to return to "normal," we thought it an appropriate time to remind people to practice something that's incredibly important to the future of our communities: Shop locally whenever you can.
Yes, we know, it's a slogan you've heard constantly. It's used so often that sometimes it sounds trite.
But there are reasons the phrase shouldn't be dismissed. The most obvious is that the livelihood of the business owners and employees who are your friends and neighbors depend on your patronage. Locally-operated shops, with their personal touch and their unique offerings, are vital pieces of vibrant communities.
Perhaps a little less obvious connection is the one between the health of local businesses and local organizations, schools, charities and youth sports clubs.
Anyone - whether they own a business or not - knows there is a growing number of requests for donations to local causes. Almost all of them are worthy, and given the local economic climate, most of them could use the community's financial help.
But that economic climate also makes it more difficult for local businesses to continue giving. As a matter of necessity, the economic forecast and actual sales records dictate that local businesses budget less money for charitable donations. Many will have to cut back in 2009.
Most families in our local communities are tied in one way or another to these groups we're writing about. Which is why shopping locally has a direct and positive impact on the shopper, too, not just on the shop.
Yes, we know, it's a slogan you've heard constantly. It's used so often that sometimes it sounds trite.
But there are reasons the phrase shouldn't be dismissed. The most obvious is that the livelihood of the business owners and employees who are your friends and neighbors depend on your patronage. Locally-operated shops, with their personal touch and their unique offerings, are vital pieces of vibrant communities.
Perhaps a little less obvious connection is the one between the health of local businesses and local organizations, schools, charities and youth sports clubs.
Anyone - whether they own a business or not - knows there is a growing number of requests for donations to local causes. Almost all of them are worthy, and given the local economic climate, most of them could use the community's financial help.
But that economic climate also makes it more difficult for local businesses to continue giving. As a matter of necessity, the economic forecast and actual sales records dictate that local businesses budget less money for charitable donations. Many will have to cut back in 2009.
Most families in our local communities are tied in one way or another to these groups we're writing about. Which is why shopping locally has a direct and positive impact on the shopper, too, not just on the shop.
