<p>I try to spend at least $50 a month at 4 truly local businesses. I don’t always achieve that goal, but just yesterday I dropped a wad of money on a new appliance at a local, family owned appliance store. I was in and out in 15 minutes with excellent sales service, and they will be out to install and haul away the old one on the exact date I want them to come. Sure, the appliance likely wasn’t made here, but the sales and service staff are employed here, and the profit to the store will stay in our community. I may have saved a hundred dollars or so at a big box store, but I think the service and ease of transaction was worth it.</p>
<p>Other places I spend money locally are the food co-op (some specialty items I buy there a couple of times a month that I can’t get at my supermarket – which is also a chain based in our state), restaurants, and the local fish shop. I did some Christmas shopping on the scenic mainstreet in the town near my house a couple of weeks ago – specifically decided to shop there first instead of a large mall. Did go to the mall for some items not available downtown, though. I have started buying coffee drinks (only buy a few a month) at a local coffee shop chain that is just in our city (but partly because they will make me something custom that I can’t get in the bigger coffee shops).</p>
<p>I do shop in large chain stores sometimes, but if it is equally convenient, I will usually try to give the local shop my business. I own a small business, and my dad and all my siblings are small business owners. Also, a few years ago I had to spend several weeks traveling to various cities around the US for a family emergency. It struck me then how everyplace is starting to look the same. It was depressing… one day I drove for miles in my rental car just looking for someplace to eat that was NOT a chain because it bothered me so much. </p>
<p>I won’t shop someplace local if the product or service isn’t up to par, or if the price is too outrageous, or if it is really inconvenient in some way. But all things being pretty equal, local gets my business.</p>