So, it’s no surprise to many of you that I have an intense passion (not an obsession – because there is a difference) with shopping and supporting small businesses. Ok, fine. I have an obsession. Moving on. But this didn’t just come out of no where. These lovey, Valentine’s Day vibes put me in the spirit for talking about why I love to shop local, since it’s practically a love affair (sorry, Mitch). But first, why shop local at all?
Why Shop Local
I’ve mentioned this article before as to why buying local is worth it, but it’s so great that I just have to mention it again. This time though, I’m sharing the epic infographic from Huff Post. It’s from 2013, so just imagine how much more impactful these numbers probably are now, but I find it so relevant and impactful still.
Here are the stats that stand out to me the most:
- $9.3 billion would be directly returned to the local economy if every U.S. family spent $10 a month at a local place vs. a chain. HOLY SH*T YOU GUYS.
- Local businesses generate 3.5x more wealth for the local economy than chains.
- Much more eco-friendly with reduced shipping pollution and non-green ways (59% of independent makers ‘usually’ use recycled materials).
Why I love to Shop Local
If those numbers didn’t convince you enough, then hopefully my “love story”. I’ve mentioned before that this obsession probably is due to my lack of ability to even draw the simplest things, like stick figures. However, I’m not sure that’s the full story!
The Little Crafter that Could
I was always so crafty as a kid – I hardly believe myself when I say due to how un-crafty I’ve become. I’m hoping to change that though. I remember always making jewelry. So. Much. Jewelry. Friendship bracelets, beaded necklaces + bracelets and so on. I’d also make lanyards, keychains and little creatures. Anything and everything. I remember my high school used to put on a craft fair each year (of course we went) and I’d always see different tables set up. There were fun handmade things being sold by moms and kids around town. This is where I got a lot of my inspiration. I’d go home feeling inspired and make my own stuff. I had small hopes of having a table there one day.
Once a Small Shopper, Always a Small Shopper
Growing up, we always went to the different neighborhood craft fairs and “festivals” around. AKA – a crappy carnival, tiny petting zoo, maybe a semblance of a parade, and big tents set up with people selling mostly handmade things. Back in the ‘burbs of Kansas City north, these were things like Gladfest, Liberty Fall Festival, SantaCaliGon Days and the like. I think this had a huge impact on me and my love for I shop local.
Having gone to all of these events throughout my childhood and being a little crafter myself, I think this has me rooted in appreciation for spending money on goods that didn’t always come from Walmart. I was also always jazzed to make art myself, have my friend’s art on my walls or buy art from a friend. It was so cool to me to take a piece of work that was made by someone I knew and proudly call it mine (still is BTW). And I’d know that I supported their joy while doing so.
Eyes Wide Open
All through high school I always found myself researching new ways to be healthy, be more eco-friendly, finding indie clothes line and of course emo music. I have always been attracted to niche, indie brands – because you know, I’m like soooooo cool you guys – but today, that translates into an appreciation for that independent storefront you drive pass every day or local maker found at the farmers markets and craft shows. I think my eyes were widened pretty early on of my impact with my decisions as a consumer (AKA getting mental scarring from watching PETA videos and becoming vegetarian for a while). But as I matured and learned more and more, I started getting deeper into this world.
Resurgence of Craft Fairs
The last piece that I think aids to my love affair with shopping small is what I call the “resurgence” of craft fairs. I’m not quite sure when it started happening, or even when I started noticing, but post-college and making Instagram my main social platform, I started getting more aware of the different “trendy” craft fairs going on. Totally different than the ones I’d go to as a kid. These are way more put together. Filled with people who positioned themselves as small businesses vs. a crafter selling things and more high quality items (sorry kid, your plastic bead bracelets don’t cut it for me now). I was seeing these events pop up all over Kansas City, and all over in other cities around Instagram. Once I went, I fell hard in love after attending the first of these with Mitch and the love has never stopped.
I felt at home at these fairs and like I could connect with what I was purchasing, not just something that everyone could get at the store (which was made cheaply and probably destroying the environment anyways). Not to mention the great feeling of witnessing my money going to support a human on the other side of the table – someone who makes a living crafting the items displayed.
So, those are the reasons why I love to shop local. From my crafty childhood and love of independent brands, to learning about consumerism and loving to support a human over a corporation, shopping small and local is just the right fit for me.