Staying local--it's worth the effort

So I almost started to feel important when I got so much input to my last column in "M" Magazine. It was not meant to single out any one but to raise awareness that doing business locally is A Good Thing.

And since I got so much reaction (both good and bad) to my awarenss-raising, I decided to continue it in this issue.

This time, I'm not going to focus as much on local events as on local businesses. All of you who grew up in Manchester, or who have had your kids grow up here, have heard the familiar refrain: "There's nothing to do in Manchester."

I will be happy to contend that there is plenty to do in Manchester--and plenty more that can be done.

The local Chamber of Commerce boasts more than 100 members. These are all local business people who have a stake in this community. Most of them live here, as well as making their business home here. They love it here and want to make Manchester a great place to live and work. And shop. 

And really, there are many other local businesses that don't belong to the chamber yet. Those, too, deserve our support.

Why should we shop locally? Well, for one thing, it's a lot better for the environment. You aren't wasting a lot of gas to go to a large chain store that is three-quarters parking lot. And when you take into account your time and gas money, it's often cheaper to shop here even if you are paying a little bit more for the product in question.

It's fun to do business in Manchester, too. Sure, you might be shopping at the mega-grocery store and happen to run into someone who lives near you, but it's a lot more likely to run into your neighbors when you're at Manchester Market. And other local shoppers are normally a lot more tolerant of you standing in the aisle chit-chatting with a long-lost (or not-lost) friend. 

Or you might be eating out at Chain Restaurant C in  and from across the room you see someone you know waiting in the 45-minute line for a table. They are still standing in line when you've finished your meal so as you leave you can tell them how "great" your dinner was. Thanks a bunch--some of their family members have already fainted from hunger, while the strangers surrounding them look on in disgust.

OK, I'm exaggerating. But that wouldn't happen here in Manchester. First of all, there are rarely any waiting lines--but if there is a short wait at the Hungry Wolf, Black Sheep, Frank's, Linda's Diner, or Whistle Stop, there are usually a few other neighbors that are waiting too. So you stand there joking around and the waitress or hostess or owner (when have you ever met the owner of one of those big chain restaurants?) stops by periodically to exchange a few pleasantries and let you know how much longer you might expect to wait for your table. And in the unlikely event that someone actually did keel over from hunger, all of the EMTs and doctors and nurses in the dining room would immediately jump up from their dinner and rush over to help. As would everyone else in line. Because we're all neighbors here. 

And if you decide to order a pizza at home from Classic or Ollie's, you probably know the guy (or girl) who's delivering it to you. They, too, are depending on local shoppers to help them earn their living. Or their college tuition. Or just their high school spending money. 

We have two local artists' galleries in Manchester. Are you looking for something truly unique for yourself or someone else? You don't have to go to the fancy places in Chelsea or Ann Arbor or Detroit. We've got some pretty great artwork right downtown in the Wild Acorn or Manchester Station. And again--you'll get personal service from the owner of the business. Who might even be your neighbor. 

It can also be rewarding to shop in Manchester. At Worth Repeating, for example, every item sold in the store are donated. All of the workers are volunteers. And all of the profits are distributed back into the community--this year, to the tune of more than $50,000. Now lest you think this shop is one big garage sale, let me correct you. All of the items donated to the store are carefully sorted by the volunteers. The very best stuff makes it to the sales floor. Other items are donated on to other reputable charities, distributed by workers at the Washtenaw County Community Support and Treatment Services, which provides services to mentally disabled adults. Little, if anything, is wasted. It's more like recycling at its finest. 

I could go on. I realize I have only touched on only a very few local retail businesses, and none of the services that are available locally. Since it's December, I figure everyone is out shopping anyway. And my column space is limited. I'll get to the services another time. 

The following is adapted from a newsletter circulated in another Michigan community recently, but I thought it was worth sharing to conclude this article. I hope you will remember it as you're shopping this holiday season.

Save your local economy ... three stores at a time.

*Think about three independently owned businesses that you'd miss if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution truly keeps these businesses around.

*If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently-owned businesses, their purchases would generate more that $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if even more of the employed population did the same.

*for every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. When it is spent in a national chain, only $43 stays local. 

Spend it online and nothing comes home.

Think about it. And let me know what you're thinking. You can email me at marshajc@gmail.com or comment on my blog at marshajc.blogspot.com.