Why Buy Local

When it comes time to make a purchase, many consumers have grown accustom to a one-stop-shopping experience at a big box store. Unfortunately, this pumps money into large corporations and takes away from small mom and pop businesses. Unique options are often available in local storefronts. Here are some benefits behind shopping local instead:

Looking at the numbers, $100 spent locally allows for $73 to stay in the community and only $27 to leave. When $100 is spent on a chain or non-locally owned business, $43 remains in the community and $57 leaves. When money stays local it can increase the community worth. Local business owners tend to shop locally as well. This means this money spent will continue to circulate. The sales tax spent locally goes into services like police departments or parks and recreation.

 

When you buy local, the product you purchase likely didn’t have to travel very far. By cutting down on transportation, we reduce the pollution emitted from planes, trains, and trucks. When it comes to food items, the product purchased locally will be fresher than one that requires shipping. Fruits and vegetables must be harvested before they are fully ripe to ensure that they don’t spoil in transport. A piece of produce that can ripen naturally will have significantly more flavor than one that is harvested early.

 

Shopping local allows for community member to build relationships. Building relationships with local business owners can increase business to business buying. For example, if you’re a farmer who frequents a local restaurant, the restaurant owner may ask you for local produce prices.

 

Local businesses are often family-owned, however, when help is needed they turn to other locals businesses. Many local businesses give back to their community by sponsoring local events, little league teams, and more.  By shopping local, you can help create more jobs for local people in the community and are helping give back.
Crawford’s Home Furnishings is family-owned business that has been serving the community since 1972. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service for our customers in Canton and Elmwood, IL! For more information, please visit our website or call 309-647-3283.