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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Why It's Important to Buy Local

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO BUY LOCAL!


Buying patterns have definitely changed over the years - fueled by the Internet, Social Media, Amazon, eBay and the impact of electronic devices.  People find this approach often more convenient then shopping at Malls or in their local town centers.  Often price is a driving factor - thinking that saving money short term is a great benefit (and often it is). But what are the long term effects?

Build CommunityFirst, I have to say that I also have purchased items on line - things I can't find locally and Meds for the dog.  But I do try to buy everything else from local shops in my town - especially the small/independently owned ones - previously known as Mom and Pop stores (I call mine a Mom and Pups store)! 

Independent stores, like Cause to Paws, help give your community its distinct personality. Money spent at your local stores provides 3X the return then money spent at chains  and buying on line provides no return to the community. For example, I pay local business taxes - things that help the town maintain services. We host Yappy Hour's monthly - a place where neighbors can gather with their pets - a meet and greet - adding to the distinct nature of the town. Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, events, and teams compared to big businesses. I belong to the Coolidge Corner Merchants Association.  The CCMA is dedicated to promoting the vibrancy and unique  flavor of our community.

Local ownership of business means residents with roots in the community, like myself, are involved in key development decisions that shape our lives and local environment. Continue to buy on line and small shops like mine will disappear.

 A new phenomenon over the last couple of years, known as SHOWCASING is becoming more prevalent. Stores have become the place where people come to check out goods , even try on product, and then go on line to buy - because they think they can save money. Sometimes this may be the case - but how do you expect a Brick and Mortar to compete with an online store that doesn't have to pay rent, taxes, salaries, .......  You used that store to your benefit without providing any compensation to the store for the "services" they provided.  Soon the store will be gone and you won't be able to use that "service" again.  It's happens here at Cause to Paws - and what bothers me the most is that people are "proud" doing it and even tell me that is what they are doing. Maybe it's my age, but I find this amazing. Plus - most people don't even realize how this sounds or what the ultimate impact will be.

Well that's my rant for the day - thank you for allowing me to vent.  Not sure how to stem this tide.  At Cause to Paws we pride ourselves in our customer service, finding unique items when we can that you can't find online(getting harder to do), special orders, allowing people to pay later, acting as a resource for dog walkers, dog sitters an groomers. We are in our 10th year and sorry to say it might be our last - but times they are a changing - my point - Just think about what you are doing the next time you need to shop for something.