BY TABATHA RENEGAR

Here we are, at the start of another New Year with goals, dreams and aspirations, both large and small. Of course, the events of 2020 have impacted how life will look for us in this shiny new year and, perhaps, some of our loftier resolutions are no longer the priority. Perhaps, if you’re like me, your goals have become a bit more grounded in the simple, beautiful day-to-day blessings that are so easy to take for granted. For example, simply being able to run into town to find the perfect scarf for an aunt in a boutique or to having your hair done at a salon that’s been in business longer than you can remember!

Sure, we can type a few words into our phones and have an item ordered and on its way to our doors in minutes, but isn’t something missing from that experience that you can only get by walking into a local business?

If you have ever driven through the heart of Lewisville or Clemmons, then you know that your neighbors are local business owners, working hard to offer valuable products and services in the community that they call home. But, did you know that more than $9.3 billion would be directly returned to our economy if every US family spent just $10 a month at a local business?

When you spend your hard-earned money with a local business, you aren’t just helping that proprietor make money! You’re investing in your community. Significantly more money stays in a community when purchases are made at locally owned – rather than nationally owned – businesses. How? Because when you purchase from locally owned businesses, more of your investment stays in the community thanks to the way that these businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps other businesses grow as well as the local tax base. And, that’s good for you and your neighbors!

And, let’s not forget the basic “feel good” nature of it! When you go into a local business or store, chances are you’re going to be warmly greeted and welcomed, whether it’s your first time in that establishment or your 101st time! Do you think your Amazon Prime driver is ever going to ask how your daughter’s doing as the new captain of her volleyball team?

Supporting local businesses connects you to people that you already have something in common with – a love for where you live and the community in which you are a part.

Not to mention the opportunity to see, feel and perhaps even test out the item you’re shopping for. Shopping locally gives you the chance to learn about the product – who made it, where it came from and what are the benefits of this one vs. that one? It’s examples like this that explain why 65% of Americans’ shopping budgets are still spent in-store. For all our fancy technology, efficiency and desire for immediate gratification, spending time in a local business is comfortable and simply feels right.

Supporting local shops and service providers might not always be the “cheapest” or even the fastest way to complete your task. However, when you look at it as an investment of your time and money back into your hometown, you will start to see how easy it is to forego “putting items in your cart” and make a quick trip into town instead!

So, as we look ahead at 300+ new days in 2021, an easy resolution we can make together is to choose our neighbors and community first by heading into town for our retail therapy needs! See you there!

I think a “bubble” or call out that says

“Online Shopping can be local too! Check your favorite retailers website for the option to shop online