We all know at some intuitive level that supporting your local merchants is good. Yes, sometimes you pay a little bit more than the big box stores, but often they have unique items or services that balance out the little bit of extra expense. Or perhaps it’s just the convenience.
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely hate having to walk to the very rear of a large grocery store when all I want is a gallon of milk. Not to mention the wait in line to pay.
Now a study shows that shopping local is not just good for the merchant, it’s also good for you!
A thriving business district actually helps to raise the values of the homes in that area! The study conducted by American Express OPEN indicates that home values in neighborhoods close to such active business districts with primarily independent (non-chain) ownership resulted in an above average rate of appreciation when compared to the rest of their larger market areas.
Independent retailers and restaurants have still lost ground since the 1990’s, but they remain a force as residents look to shop local. We know franchises employ a lot of local folks and some do better than others when it comes to getting behind a community project, but in general they don’t do nearly as much as the often smaller independent businesses that have fewer resources.
So let’s shop local!
