I went to shop down in Glendale, Arizona last evening. During the pre-Christmas season, the entire old-town area of Glendale put on the Glendale Glitters. There are all sorts of activities for families, couples, and our elder population. Just as I was arriving at the square, buses were pulling, bringing a number of senior citizens to the festivities.
For anyone who is concerned about their business in this dismal economic environment, this was indeed a promising site. We strolled around the square, watching the performances, stopping at the various tables and tents to see what people were promoting, and enjoying some of the snacks that were available outside the restaurants.
Then I stopped inside some of the small shops, housed in the old homes in the Catlin Court Historic District and chatted with some of the shopkeepers. Without exception, every one of them is interested in ways to improve their business throughout the year. The holiday season is certainly helpful, but the idea of raising the awareness of the general public to the plight of the small business owner is their number one concern. The big box stores make it so easy to run in and get everything you need, "one stop shopping".
The problem with "one stop shopping" is that it does not help your community. Those dollars you just spent there go to corporate headquarters, sometimes not even inside our own country's borders. The more money we send overseas equals less money that will continue to circulate in our own country, even our own community.
We will lose individuality. Every store will carry exactly the same merchandise. We will all become carbon copies of one another.
America is losing her greatness because we're all looking for a bargain!
Stop! Just for a moment, before you buy something, ask yourself, "Can I get this locally and make a difference in my hometown's economy?" If the answer is "Yes!" then make that extra stop and support a local small biz.
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