In the past, I've suggested that when the economy is in a slump, consumers might think about tilting their spending toward locally-owned businesses. Those are the folks that can be hurt most by a downturn and they are the ones you and your community will miss the most if they disappear.
Why? The owners of local businesses are a part of your community and are often directly involved in support of your interests - sponsoring a soccer team, hosting a car wash, donating food or a service to charitable causes. A larger proportion of their profits comes back to the local community also - an estimated 68%, versus 42% for a big chain store.
The details of the local business scene may vary from place to place. For example, in my neighborhood, we are fortunate to have several local hardware/garden stores within just two or three miles. As a homeowner, I shop these stores often; I get better service and advice, about the same selection of merchandise, and often just as good a deal (or a benefit like free delivery). Besides, the nearest "big box" is about 30 minutes' drive away, and I'm not usually looking for stuff in giant quantities that make a trip there worthwhile.
Now, there's a new organization seeking to help small businesses survive and thrive, called The 3/50 Project. The underlying concept is to pledge to consider at least three locally owned businesses that are important in your life, and to spend at least $50 a monthly in them (or in local businesses generally). Individuals can sign up to support the concept, and businesses can register and have their business listed in the online directory. The listing is small so far, but it's growing, and 3/50 is only a couple months old. Find out more at www.the350project.net (they have a Facebook page, too).
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