Five Reasons to Shop Local

Mega retailers like Amazon and Target may monopolize online commerce, but it’s the small businesses across the country that keep the economy going. In fact, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the 28 million small businesses in America account for 54 percent of all sales in the country. Small businesses create jobs, build a demand for locally made products, and keep communities thriving.

Your local small businesses are part of your community’s landscape. That’s where you rub shoulders with your neighbors, where you catch the latest town news and where you’re always greeted with a warm smile. At a local small business, you’ll be guaranteed superior service and the gratification that comes from knowing you’re supporting the economy in your community.

At TAPCO, we believe in supporting the community and helping local businesses flourish.

Here are our top 5 reasons to shop local:

1. Help create jobs in your community
   The money you spend at local retailers goes back into your community. When you support these small businesses, you enable them to grow and hire more workers, thus creating more jobs and helping the local economy thrive.
2. Keep your tax dollars in the community
   Why pay to support public services in a town across the country? Let your tax dollars serve your own community by shopping local small businesses. When you spend your money at local retailers, approximately $68 of every $100 spent will be reinvested in your community. That money will go toward better schools, libraries, and parks in your own neighborhood.
3. Small businesses give back to the community
   According to Community Business Finance, 92% of small business owners personally donate to charities and nonprofit organizations. Whether it’s a contracting company that sponsors a Little League team or a café that hosts an open mic night to raise money for the local soup kitchen, small businesses play a large part in supporting community causes and charities. When you shop locally, you’re enabling small businesses to continue supporting causes throughout the community.
4. Find unique gifts
   Skip the mass-produced items at huge chain stores and find gifts for everyone at local stores. You’ll be rewarded with an array of truly unique items that will make the perfect gifts for your family and friends.

Explore new retailers and restaurants

What better way to explore new spots in town than by spending the day shopping local small businesses? Give that new pizza place a try, sample the lattes at the small coffee shop that just opened its doors, and browse through the merchandise at the jewelry store you’ve been wanting to check out since its grand opening. Give back to the community you love by shopping local. You’ll be glad you did!