Think Local First
I've been reading a lot about local economies and my recent trip to New England really brought the concept home to me. I would encourage folks to begin thinking in terms of local economies and the impact that each of our businesses and our households can have when we exchange locally.
In a quote from page 165 in Bill McKibbens book "Deep Economy":
"$10 spent at a local British food business is worth $25 to the local economy, but only $14 if spent at a supermarket. The farmer buys a drink at the local pub; the pub owner gets a tune up at the local mechanic; the mechanic brings a shirt to the local tailor; the tailor buys some bread at the local bakery; the baker buys wheat for bread and fruit for muffins from the local farmer. When these businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction."
Any comments on the concept of staying local and building a "Think Local First" mantra and campaign in our community?
In a quote from page 165 in Bill McKibbens book "Deep Economy":
"$10 spent at a local British food business is worth $25 to the local economy, but only $14 if spent at a supermarket. The farmer buys a drink at the local pub; the pub owner gets a tune up at the local mechanic; the mechanic brings a shirt to the local tailor; the tailor buys some bread at the local bakery; the baker buys wheat for bread and fruit for muffins from the local farmer. When these businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction."
Any comments on the concept of staying local and building a "Think Local First" mantra and campaign in our community?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Russ Gill on -
I practice Local First as often as I can. I prefer to buy goods and services from Matthews Chamber member businesses and from the local advertisers that I see in the Matthews Record newspaper. Spending and keeping our money here will build a more vibrant Matthews.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Behrle on -
I am rethinking my entire way of being a consumer and dedicated member of the Matthews community. I have to admit to being a bargain hunter who has prided myself on NPR - "Never Paying Retail" (my family says these are my middle initials). EBay WAS my "best friend" when it came to shopping. But as I learn more about my friends, neighbors and business associates in Matthews I am committed to getting to know them even better and support their businesses in any way I can. And let's not forget about the non-profits that are such dedicated servants to our community also.
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on -
Linda,
I was very much of your thinking a couple of years ago. I was always looking for the best deal and the best price.
Now I have found I look for several things before price. I'll use my own business as an example. We are more expensive than say a bulk hoster like GoDaddy.com for hosting a website. BUT its what you get with hosting with us versus GoDaddy that makes an enormous difference in the experience and quality of service you receive. My firm is still held to standards - typically higher standards than the client expects. At the end of the day, the client knows they can walk in the door in downtown Matthews or pick up the phone and have a familiar voice to interact with.
I think Renfrow's has this figured out too. I spend more money there each and every year and its because every purchase comes with a highly informed (and thankfully patient) staff who is willing to handle my questions thoughtfully and personally. I can't buy that at Home Depot or Lowes. I do have to shop those other places from time to time just because Renfrow's doesn't carry a particular item (like a washing machine), but 90% of my gardening and hardware transactions are occuring right there with David and the Renfrow folks. I also find I go out of my way to wait until the store is open (they are closed Sunday and Monday and close Saturday at 3pm - that's how well I know their hours now) to buy my fertilizers, or plants, or an axe or a shovel or whatever it is I know they have.
The Farmer's Market was the most wonderful experience to date. My wife and I have become friends with many of the farmers there, we purchase 10-15% of our food there (and grow another 10-15%) and we are constantly looking for ways to increase those numbers - hopefully to 50%+ this year. Being a food gardener myself, it is beyond measure the satisfaction it gives me to know my grower and know from whence my food comes. Supporting this local food economy goes well beyond just a good idea - its imperative to preserve the food infrastructure of our area and to encourage growth in this infrastructure as we face ever increasing demand on our food supply.
Next to farmers, service businesses are one of the best investments on a local basis. Most of the money paid to the local service is immediately turned back around into the community. Retailers may import products from all over the world, but it is hard to replace the guy who shows up to handle your pest control. The caveat here is to look for quality "local and independent" service businesses.
Great discussion!
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on
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Here is a book list (attached) from the American Booksellers Association that highlights titles that discuss local economies. I have a few of these, so let me know if you want to read one.
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list.pdf, 4.2 MB
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Permalink Reply by Darryl Parker on
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Also here is a link to the Shop Local movement description and planning documents at the ABA.
© 2008 Created by Darryl Parker
