Why Buying Local is Best

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a purist; I do not buy everything locally. There are are those here in Roanoke who do and kudos to them! After spending time further researching this topic for this post, my eyes have really been opened as to how important this is and why I really need to be doing this as much as I possibly can.

Buying local helps us maintain our culture, commerce, economy, community, and the environment. Jane Jacobs teaches us in her book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, that having people live, work, and shop in traditional neighborhoods allows us to connect, which is a good thing. We learn from one another's ethnic and economic diversity, and we develop a stronger sense of place and identity. We are safer. We look out for one another and have a stronger sense of community.

Big box stores actually hurt the local community. Their profits go back to corporate headquarters and to their suppliers. Communities actually lose employees due to the downsizing and closings of local businesses as a result of a big-box stores running the Mom-and-Pop stores out of business. Average wages are also reduced, there tends to be higher poverty rates, less civic and social well-being, and sometimes they cost cities more.

Local businesses hire local people, spend more of their money in the community by shopping, banking, advertising, and using local professionals for their needs. Local business owners keep more of their money within the community and give back more of their dollars to local charities.

When we talk of buying local, we must also think about Sustainability. Utopia would be the ideal balance of the Planet, its People, and their Prosperity. Nonetheless, we live in the world of Capitalism, and if you can dream it, someone will make it, distribute it, then strongly encourage others to buy it. It's the American way.

You can't buy everything locally. I'm just encouraging you to buy local whenever you can.

What is your opinion on buying things locally?

As my friend Nikki always says, "Live, love, laugh, share, and pay it forward."

Suz