WAIT JUST A MOMENT BEFORE YOU CLICK THAT BUTTON!
Did you know that you most likely can get everything you want and need from a local business? And because of the pandemic, local businesses have expedited their eCommerce abilities to serve you, just like the “big box” guys?
The pandemic has kept us at home and on our computers, and we may have overlooked our local businesses. Take another look and see how hard they have worked to implement new delivery methods and other fantastic innovations. And you will help to keep them in business!
“WHY SHOP LOCAL?”
We have heard the phrase “small businesses are the engine of our economy”, but what does that mean?
Small business owners hire us, especially our kids. In fact, they are the largest “employer” in the country. They lease/purchase local properties, and keep money circulating locally which gives us a strong local economy. A strong local economy keeps our property values stable, keeps tax dollars local to pay for infrastructure improvements and public services, and is the backbone of a healthy and happy community.
They also are the most generous. They gladly and willingly offer donations for school and non-profit fundraisers, raise money for local causes, and so much more! They are your neighbors, friends and family and have a vested interest in a strong community because they live here too!
“BUT IT’S CHEAPER TO ORDER THROUGH THE BIG ONLINE MARKETPLACES.”
It may be less expensive in the short term, but what about the long run?
Imagine empty retail properties and a wasteland of barren storefronts. Losing our small businesses will result in unemployment, decreased property values, and other tremendous and potentially unrecoverable costs to society.
You may pay a little more now when ordering from a small business but consider this a contribution to a healthy economy in the long run, something from which we all benefit.
“LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE RICH AND THEREFORE WON’T BE IMPACTED”
Starting and running a small business is not for the faint of heart, as it can drain one of financial and emotional capital and requires tremendous sacrifices of time with friends and family. Small business owners meet all their financial obligations first before they even think of taking a paycheck themselves, and the financial toll on them this year has been incomprehensible.
On average, a small business owner keeps three months of reserve funds to cover unexpected costs. The pandemic has been an unmitigated disaster and many owners have taken out loans just to pay employees. Their supply chains, especially in the restaurant industry, have been completely disrupted. If they were “non-essential” they could not get inventory for weeks, and even had to pick up deliveries at a drop point as they were not allowed to receive deliveries at their locations. They are working night and day just to stay afloat.
Please Buy Local or “Say Bye” Local. Thank you in advance for Shopping Local, Giving Local, Eating Local and Supporting Local!
The Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce has been championing small businesses and non-profits since 1957. For more information, contact Liz League at ceo@gspacc.com or 410-647-3900, and visit our website at www.gspacc.com.
