Shopping Local - the trend we all need

Shopping local does not require us walling off the outside world. The culture and trend aims to nurture locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependant on imports. In an attempt to accomplish this over the past year we've found ourselves eating more and more local produce. We find it tastes incomparably better and lasts sometimes 2-4x longer. While it might take a longer drive, or require some extra planning to make the trip because the products last longer we find savings in the reduction of trips. Locally speaking, we recommend the 'Calgary Farmer's Market' of YYC as one of the best places to find locally produced and sourced items. If you want to see what is seasonally available regarding produce you can check out this list, it's probably a great guide even if you don't live here!

There are so many great incentives to shop local and with the current pandemic still unfolding it has never been more important. Here are ten reasons why you should shift towards local business where possible:

1. Local Economic Stimulus. When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because local businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base.

2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support. Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.

3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity. The unique character of your local community is defined in large part by the business that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your overall satisfaction with where you live and the value of your home and property.

4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced. Small local business usually set up shop in the town/village center, providing a centralized variety that is much friendlier to a community’s walk score than out of town shopping malls. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses. Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally.

6. Customer Service Is Better. Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. We all know what it's like at a WalMart or SuperStore!

7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community. Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s welfare and future.

8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.

9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices. A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10. You Matter More. It’s a fact that businesses respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to your local community business than the large big box stores.

No matter where you are in the world local markets are almost always somewhere close by. If you live in the beautiful city of Calgary you can visit the Calgary Farmer's Market at their South West location. In the coming year as the NW community of Greenwich is developed there will be a second location available to the northern shopper. And if you are in the market for new blinds during the holiday season we are always available for in-home consultations by appointment here.