You live there, you go out with friends here; you buy fresh fruit and veggies there and frequently stop the coffee shop not too far from your home. Small businesses are everywhere. They are vital to the success of the economy. Shopping locally not only helps the economy but also creates a sense of support in the community. Many people take pride in shopping locally. Supporting small businesses creates jobs, encourages entrepreneurship, product diversity and helps build prosperity and character within the community. Writer at fivecentnickel.com said every dollar spent at a locally owned establishment, nearly 45 percent of that revenue stays in the local community. Another 9% is spent elsewhere in the state. These expenses included employee wages and benefits, inventory, supplies, services from other local businesses, profits accrued to the local owners, state and local taxes, and charitable contributions. Why not shop locally?

Tallahassee is home to a plethora of small businesses. Evan Rossi, manager at a local coffee shop, All Saints Café believes shopping locally gives the community its own character: “It provides character to the community, to the neighbor. A chain business, a franchised business, part of their business model is to maintain that homogeneity. Local and independent business' have their own character and they influence the character of the community. A good sense of character can allow a city to flourish. Holly Galotti, owner of local boutique Olde Felids Clothing CO., loves shopping locally because she is able to find unique items and loves keeping the money in the community: “I do like to shop local and one of the main reasons is to get unique items, not everyone going to have what you can get locally. I also like that it keeps money in our economy, here in town.”

Shopping local is good for the environment because local purchases require less transportation. Less transportation equals… you guessed it! A reduced carbon footprint on Mother Earth. Shopping locally also keeps the community unique; it makes it your home. Local shops in Tallahassee are one-of-a-kind and are an integral part of creating a distinctive character of a community.

By choosing to shop locally, you not only enjoy a more special and personal experience but you are helping build a community, strengthen your economy and lower taxes.