How to Support Small Businesses in Your Area

You like to think of yourself as a fair-minded individual, that you a follow a golden rule of sorts. When asked, you might answer that you cheer for the underdog in movies; you like to think you support the weak, the disenfranchised. If you believe that, but find that your coffee comes from a Seattle-based corporation, that your dinner out was spent at a chain restaurant, that your shirt was purchased at a store located in every mall in the country, then read on to see what you can really do to make even a small difference.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Money
• Internet access
• The ability to make decisions

1. Buy your coffee from a locally owned cafe. Its second syllable doesn’t need to contain ‘Bucks’ to be good coffee. In fact, often times, the smaller cafes have a wider variety of flavors and brew strengths to choose from. Without the rigid rules to govern their operation, these smaller cafes will also have more decor options for you to choose from.
2. Rent a movie from the corner store. Sure, you can get a much larger selection of films at one of the chains, but why not spend the same amount of money on the same DVD at the place near your house? Also, to compete with the bigger chains, many of the smaller ones provide an adult section. This is something the big guys do not have to offer.
3. Eat your dinner at a small restaurant. Your birthday dinner doesn’t have to come with free flan, a silly hat and disgruntled employees singing to you. Why not an intimate meal for two in a dimly lit bistro? You will be offered not only specialties that will not be found in most chain restaurants, but ingredients that are often times fresher (locally grown) and healthier (organically grown) and, therefore, better for you.
4. Buy food at the local market. Instead of being tempted by the siren song of the membership cards offered by the supermarkets, buy your produce from a locally owned store. The will be a smaller selection, but you can be more confident in your purchase. Ask the storeowner where they get their produce? Odds are, it will be local. So, by simply buying a locally grown vegetable from the local market, you are supporting two locally owned businesses. Win-win.
5. Buy your clothing from a local boutique, vintage clothing store or second hand store. By utilizing any of these three options, you will guarantee more unique finds. Going to a party? Odds are that no one will be wearing the same outfit you picked up. Not only will you be recognized as unique, but also you can be satisfied knowing that your money stayed local and didn’t travel overseas to finance a sweatshop.

Tips & Warnings

• By using the logic provided in these steps, you can help keep money flowing in your own community and know that you did something to support the little guy. Without the little guys, we would be a nation represented by a handful of logos.