Do you support local merchants?

[OHeather]

If I can find the item(s) that I am looking for at a local store, I would much prefer to buy from them than the big box stores. Does the extra $1 I'd spend at a mom-n-pop store really matter? I'd spend that much in gas trying to run around to find the best price @ another store. I'm sure it adds up eventually, but I feel better knowing that I am supporting a local merchant or family.

[kristen.c]

I go to the local organic market (Voted best of Baltimore!) to buy the majority of my groceries. They have fair prices, quality products, and incredibly friendly service. They bag your groceries, return your cart to the corral, and they insist on carrying every customers bags to their car (unless you really insist that they don't) and they do it happily- rain, snow, or sunshine. Their prices are always lower than the grocery stores in my area- many times even lower than traditional counterparts for produce, canned goods, cereals, etc. I know that they have really good benefits and treat their employees well so I buy what I can there and go elsewhere for what's left on the list. Not to mention their produce is the most fresh available and doesn't even compare to the sub par organic produce available from the supermarket.

When the weather is better I like to also stop at farm stands and do the farmers market. I'd rather spend at least some of my dollars supporting locally owned businesses than a big multinational corporation. Yes I understand that even local people work for the big multinational corporation, but the money ends up going into this giant fund and doesn't trickle down evenly to the people that are doing the bulk of the work. I hope that makes sense.

And just as Heather mentioned, I can drive all over the county trying to scoop up a few things at this store and a few things at that store, and I could end up saving some more. But the time that it takes to get there, the gas it takes to make the extra trips, I'd rather just go to my regular place and stop elsewhere if there's a bigger reason than a net savings of a couple dollars. I could spend every day driving around doing the deals at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and all of the grocery stores, but that takes away from me-time and it's not worth it to me in the long run.

[hotcouponmama]

It's tough, but we're trying, even if sometimes it means spending a little more. And of course, for us, restaurants are the first in line for where we spend. We try to do local restaurants over big conglomerates.

[derketchup]

I try to, but right now money is tight. I have found a nice co-op that has organic produce for the same price as CONVENTIONAL produce at Safeway!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I try. Not for groceries however. But for other things I try and support local businesses when I can. However, the selection here is pretty slim and when you choose to shop at a smaller local businesses the prices are much higher.

So in order for the smaller buisnesses to compete with the big box stores they have to specialize in higher quality, name brands. An example we have a small toy store that sells higher quality educational toys versus barbie dolls at Walmart. So yes I will spend $20 on a set of wooden puzzles rather than $20 on a Dora the explorer doll.

However there is also a small children's clothing boutique that sells very cute but very expensive clothing. If my kids need a new pair of pajamas I just cannot fathom spending $40 for a pair of PJ's so Walmart gets my buisness there. My mother in law and my daughter once did a local fashion show and they gave my daughter the outfit that she wore in the show. Total retail was over $250 for this outfit which was nothing more than a pair of teal corderoys, a striped turtleneck and a UGLY coat that she never wore again.

There is a small store downtown that sells great cross stitch kits and supplies and her prices are twice that I would spend elseware, but her service is excellent. She will hand pick the colored floss you need, make suggestions on where to get a peice framed, offers classes, AND her store sells some other awesome cool stuff.

We have a kitchen store downtown that sells good quality kitchen supplies and I always go there for any major purchases as they are the only store in town that sells quality kitchen stuff. However, I like online shopping too.

We have developed personal relationships with some of the local merchants here in town and if you know where to look you can find coupons and discounts at mom and pop stores too.

[jtjohns]

It's a mixed bag, but in general I try to support local merchants when it comes to services (like the plumber) or restaurants. During the summer we buy produce from farmstands and several pick-your-own farms in the area, and a few of the regional grocery chains do sell local produce. It's tough during the winter though - just last week I realized that the salad I was packing for lunch included lettuce from Mexico and peppers from Canada...

~JJ

[austinmomto2]

I try as much as possible. When our Pflugervilel farmer's market is open, we buy our majority of produce there. The farmers' markets that are open year round here are a bit of a drive for me. I do try to use the services from our local merchants and would much prefer to buy my cup of coffee (when I don't make it at home) from our local small business store instead of Starbucks. Same goes for restaurants, furniture stores, etc. I try to buy local as much as possible and not do the chain stores.

[frugalmegan]

I think its SUPER important. We have been working our way out from under student loans, so I havent been buying as much as I would like locally- But we'll be done in two months and I can focus more on it! I happily just found an organic produce farm down the road a bit- I'll be there in a jiffy! And locally handmade wood toys? They are fantastic.

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I agree, it is important. I do shop online as I live in a small town and can not get some items I want locally. I also shop at the mass retailers like Target and Kmart mainly to get great deals on food and household supplies.


I do like to shop at the locally owned stores. There is an awesome toy store that I shop at often in my parents home town. The owners are so nice and they sponser storytimes at their store three times a week. Plus they carry toys I can't find anywhere else.

I also like to purchase organic meat from a local farm and at a locally owned butcher shop.

I purchase produce at the local farmers market and also buy strawberries at a local farm.

I love to shop at garage sales for kids clothing, games, toys, books, DVD's, CD's etc.
Thrift stores are great too!!

[wyo-helpmeet]

I try. We went to the first farmer's market of the year today & I immediately went to the produce stand where the stickers on the crap was from Canada & Mexico, etc!!!! I passed them by & we went & bought cookies baked in town by the Mennonite ladies!!!

[purplemoon2008]

Are you serious?! That is appalling! Someone is not doing their job at that Farmers' Market that's for sure!!

I'd have done just what you did (and I bet those cookies were sooo delish!!)

[wyo-helpmeet]

hehe, I dunno. They're for after dinner (that's what I tell the kids anyway, LOL). Yeah, I was disgusted. People come from CO & UT, etc to sell their fresh baked breads, their jewelry & soaps, etc. I'm ok with that because to me a farmer's market means locally made items. Even though it doesn't always fit the 100mi radius rule for buying locally, they are still regional if that makes sense, and they put their hearts into it!!!!! I'd support a home business or a family business 1,000 miles away before I buy something from Canada if I can (I actually buy my soaps from a goat farmer that lives in AK, because she has the bestest soaps in the world!!! But she's one lady that does it, plus she's Christian, as am I).

[queenofthehivemomof5]

We don't even have a farmers market here. Not really. There is a community garden that holds a little market from July to frost (um that could be August LOL) I check it out. It is usually a few of the gardeners with a few extra zucchinis to sell. Although last year there was a lady that was selling raspberries. I really hope that she does it again this year as they were yummy. Since I only now have one surviving raspberry bush (darn dogs!), I want to buy enough from her to freeze. I also put out a request on freecycle for anyone that has extra fruit from their trees that we would be willing to come and pick. Unfortunately there is just no real farming done in this part of Wyoming. We do get folks from Colorado, New Mexico and Nebraska that sell on road side stands. Last year we got some amazing peaches from a vendor from CO and some great corn from NE. None of it was organic or really local but it was fresher than the grocery store stuff and I liked supporting farmers directly.

[wyo-helpmeet]

For those that voted always, I'm wondering if you drive? Where did your car come from? What about the computer you're on. I mean, really, as of today is there any way to buy locally 100% of the time? Just because you "buy" locally, doesn't mean you're not also supporting somewhere outside of the local radius. Does that make sense?

[cityhopper]

I try as much as possible and I would consider local to my state and neighboring states. One farmer's market in my area actually list what state the produce comes from and labels each regular or organic. I also visit a grocery store local to my city which offers a nice variety of local produce and grocery products (bread, honey, peanut butter, etc...). They are more expensive so I cannot concentrate all of my shopping there.