Six Reasons Why
You Should Shop Local
To some, “shop local” or “shop small” are just hashtags and phrases heard from time to time. But shopping local means supporting our locally owned businesses - something that is important always but especially now as physical retail spaces have taken a hit over the past year.
Our local businesses represent us - from our unique communities and tastes, to our personal values. Small, local businesses often use resources sustainably, they employ more workers with fairer wages and are there to serve the community.
Shopping local means supporting locally sourced goods allowing us to become less dependent on imports. We can all do our part to move control from unseen boardrooms of large corporations and back into the community, where it belongs.
Keep reading for six inspiring reasons to support ~
#ShopSmall #ShopLocal
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WorkOf Showroom, Brooklyn.
Photo by Kitman Lucia
A peek inside the WorkOf Showroom, Brooklyn.
Photo by Studio Endo
1. you Stimulate the local economy
Our first reason to shop local is simple, it keeps money in the community!
Local businesses often source from other local businesses, and many local businesses even create their own products in-house. In this way, supporting one local business helps grow other businesses as well.
Sneak a peek at the metal finishing artisans from Long Island-based WorkOf designer, Allied Maker.
“Every time you support a small business...
you are supporting a real family.”
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2. you help create Unique neighborhoods
When you think about the coolest neighborhoods, whether it be Bushwick, Lower East Side or Astoria - what makes them “trendy”? The small, local businesses of course!
It’s the people behind our favorite local businesses that bring their own unique character to our communities, essentially creating and defining what is hot or trendy.
By supporting that favorite coffee shop or that emerging new lighting designer, you are building the culture of your neighborhood!
Exploring new heights with a Brooklyn-based WorkOf designer, Pieces.
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3. you reduce your environmental impact
Small, local business usually set up shop in the center of your town or neighborhood. This gives a local variety that is much more walk-able vs commuting to an out of town shopping area. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Behind the design with a Brooklyn-based WorkOf designer, Sentient.
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4. you help create New Jobs
Did you know that small, local businesses are the largest employers nationally?
That’s right - over 99% of employer are small businesses and more than 95% of these businesses have less than 10 employees.
Shopping small = more small businesses = more jobs.
Behind the scenes with a Brooklyn-based WorkOf designer, Bower.
“Small businesses created 1.9 million net jobs in 2015. Firms employing fewer than 20 employees experienced the largest gains, adding 1.1 million net jobs.”
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5. you will experience better Customer Service.
Hands up if you’ve walked into a big-box store and struggled to find a knowledgeable employee to assist you? 🙋♀️
Local businesses often employ people with specific product expertise - you may even meet the owners or makers themselves! What better way to learn about a product?
You are also much more likely to be able to tailor your experience to your needs, from customizing products, to coordinating local delivery.
Behind the scenes with a Mamaroneck-based WorkOf designer, Ethan Abramson.
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6. you show pride for your community
Our local businesses represent the unique individuality of all of us. Shopping local means making a personal investment in your community!
In fact, for every $100 you spend locally, about $73 stays in the community - compared to $43 that would stay in the community if you shopped from non-local business. Essentially you are “voting with your wallet”.
Also, your values and needs are much more influential within your local community businesses vs large stores and corporations. Isn’t it a great feeling when a friend asks you where you got something and you can proudly say “at my local ___ store”?
Taking a break with a Brooklyn-based WorkOf designer, Aelfie.
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Small businesses are an important part of our communities and economy.
As a proud Brooklyn-based small business, we at WorkOf pride ourselves in supporting the creative class by representing independent designers across the USA and Canada.
In these unprecedented times it’s important we support each other as much as we can.
Let’s all do our part to move power and control back into our communities,
where it has always belonged.
Shop small every chance you can!
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy local, and that’s kind of the same.”
