With various celebrations fast approaching, many people are beginning to tick a few items off of their shopping list in order to get ahead of the game and avoid the inevitable long line-ups in the coming months. Although stores like Amazon have their obvious benefits, such as a catalog of products under every category you could imagine, and one-day delivery options tempting you to click “Buy Now”; the personal touch is out of the mix. The good news is, you can even quicker, same-day service, from the local businesses at your own backdoor. 

Local shop owners and employees are often found to maintain more meaningful relationships with their clientele, and provide greater supports to the local community. Besides, with the amount of time spent online these days, it is always so much nicer to see a smiling face. Additionally, the ease of shopping and returns is much more simplified at the shop next door, with no hassles, long email chains, photographs, negotiating, and postage or courier charges that coincide. 

As the importance of these shops is so often overlooked, try to imagine what your community would look like without the local storefronts that occupy its streets? For some of us, these stores have been around as long as we have, though ownership may have changed over the years.  Every time we hear the bell chime on the door, or smell the wonders made inside, or gaze at the goodies under the glass, we feel the comfort of the familiar. Even the new store around the corner offers necessities and curiosities, and with courteous and helpful staff, it is hard not to be excited for novice business owners beginning a new life adventure, in our neighbourhood. Not only will these cute little storefronts surprise you, their unique style and architecture, they also add a little bit of charm and a whole lot of value to the community in which they operate. 

 

Community Ties

What is often the best part about getting to know the businesses in your own neighbourhood, is that you make new friends.  Some of these shops have been around for decades and know everything about everything in the area. You can often receive sound advice and continued support from businesses who want not only your recommendation but who care deeply about return service as well. 

Many local businesses are operated by families who initiate fundraising for sports teams and food banks, volunteer at hospitals and classrooms, and who care about their customers. Families connecting with other families is a way of building community, and when the going gets tough, like during a pandemic, it is important to be connected to a caring community.  Shopping local ensures we stay connected, even if it is with masks and gloves.

 

Growing Local Economy 

Throughout the pandemic of COVID-19, small businesses took the biggest hit, with many owners having to close their doors for good. Big Box Stores and online retailers such as Amazon did not suffer the way our favourite small-scale local shops did, in fact, they thrived as the dependency on their products grew. By taking this season to put our money back into the local businesses and store-fronts that once thrived in our communities, we are contributing to the jobs and profits of our friends and neighbours. 

 

Providing Jobs

Although Amazon does have a warehouse that provides jobs for many people within Ottawa, it is not often that they set up shop in smaller or rural communities. Local businesses, on the other hand, employ local workers and contract out other local businesses for services such as cleaning or repair, while sourcing from local vendors for the materials they need to produce goods. This creates a ripple effect that results in economic growth within the municipality we share.

 

Supporting Local Charities

Local businesses also tend to have a more heartfelt attachment to their communities, after all, its where they live, where they work, and where they play. This is why you often find many business owners participating in fundraisers for hospitals, schools, pet shelters, and food drives.  It seems these entrepreneurial families hope to pay it forward just like their customers do.

So for this Thanksgiving this year, or over the winter holidays, why don’t you try a local pasture-raised organic turkey from your local turkey farmer, or buy a one of a kind gift from a one of a kind shop. Local businesses will need our support this season, after a long COVID year, and besides, when was the last time Jeffrey Bezos thanked you for your patronage?

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