Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, and it’s got us thinking about all the reasons we love supporting our business community by shopping local. Greater Fergus Falls is firmly rooted in the belief that small businesses are an integral part of our community.
Now, more than ever, small businesses need our help to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or ordering an appetizer at dinner, every purchase makes a difference. With that in mind, we wanted to highlight the importance of shopping local — not just on Small Business Saturday, but every day.
Every Purchase Means Something
When you shop locally, no purchase goes unnoticed. Each purchase, regardless of its total value, means something to small business owners. Every dollar spent in their store goes toward supporting their dream and helping them achieve their goals. What’s more, business owners do what they do because they want to bring value to their friends and neighbors. When you buy from local retailers, it lets them know that they are an asset to the community.
It Makes the Local Economy Stronger
Did you know that for every $100 spent at a chain retailer, only $43 stays in the community? In comparison, $68 remains in our community for every $100 spent at a local retailer. Purchasing from area businesses ensures more money is reinvested in the city's infrastructure, schools, and people.
Small business owners also make it a priority to collaborate with and support other local retailers. They purchase their supplies locally and frequently visit other locally-owned shops and restaurants. By spending where we live, we can keep more dollars in our community, which helps small businesses grow and increases the tax base. This is something that Dawn Saxton, owner of Cora's Closet Upscale Consignment Boutique, urges shoppers to consider, as well:
"Shop local first! With such a vibrant downtown, home to several new fantastic stores that offer a variety of unique and quality merchandise, consider exploring what your local small business owners have to offer before going online or out of town. Shopping where you live keeps your dollars local and helps us support one another. A healthy small business community keeps our local economy flourishing!"
Many New Jobs Come From Local Businesses
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for roughly 47% of the labor force, employing more than 60 million people across the U.S. They’re also one of the biggest creators of new jobs. In 2019 alone, small businesses were responsible for creating 1.6 million jobs. Besides providing new and existing jobs, they tend to have more diversified labor pools than many national retailers.
Small Businesses Make Our Community Unique
Local makers and businesses provide one-of-a-kind products and experiences that set a community apart from other towns. Supporting small businesses helps to preserve the character of the community. That uniqueness also draws others to it, whether tourists visiting for a short time or people looking to become part of a community that shares their values.
It Offers a Way to Give Back to Our Community
Choosing to invest in area businesses benefits the community as a whole. Small business owners are more likely than national chains to give back to the community they reside in. They have a personal connection to their town, making them more willing to invest in the community’s future and well-being. When we spend where we live, we all win.
Supporting local businesses is such a fun and rewarding experience, and Greater Fergus Falls is proud to be part of a community that believes in the importance of shopping small. With Small Business Saturday and the holiday season coming up, we encourage you to get out and explore the many amazing retailers in our community. We’ll be sharing more reasons to shop local over the course of the next few weeks, so be sure to follow along on social media and our blog so you don’t miss a thing!
Have a question about Small Business Saturday on November 28th or how you can support our business community? Get in touch with our team.