Buy More from Locally Owned Independent Businesses
By Ed Mantels-Seeker,
BUILD St. Louis Board President
Spend your money wisely – buy more from local independents. Don’t let the St. Louis area become just another generic Anytown, overloaded with non-local chain stores and franchise businesses that drain money from our local economy and diminish St. Louis’ unique local character. National chain businesses and online sellers aren’t always cheaper or the best value. And St. Louis’ local independents and homegrown chains provide much more than just good prices.
10 Great Reasons to Buy Locally:
1. A Stronger Local Economy.
Compared to non-local chains here, local independents and homegrown chains reinvest a much larger share of their revenue and profits back into our local economy. Plus, dollars you spend with true locals have a “multiplier effect” – much more of your money cycles back through other St. Louis-based businesses to enrich our community.
2. Appealing Local Character.
Local character gives us an economic advantage over generic Anytown communities. In an increasingly homogenized, large chain- and franchise-dominated world, preserving our unique local businesses and distinctive character will keep St. Louis city and county appealing destinations – and better places to live and work.
3. More Local Jobs.
Local indies create more jobs in their own communities, and buy more goods and services from other locally owned independent businesses, helping sustain even more St. Louis-area jobs.
4. Utilizing Tax Dollars.
Shopping and dining more at local indies in local business districts (and less at malls and big box stores) means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our neighborhoods. Also, buying locally instead of online at non-locals ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong – in your own community.
5. A Larger Middle Class Local entrepreneurship fuels economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key way for St. Louis families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.
6. More Responsible Decision-Making.
Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the St. Louis area and will feel the direct impacts of major decisions that affect our community.
7. A Greener Environment
Local independents better utilize land and existing buildings, helping to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable neighborhoods and town centers – while reducing sprawl, car use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
8. Community Well-Being
St. Louis-based businesses build strong communities by sustaining our neighborhoods, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to St. Louis causes at a higher rate than non-locals here.
9. Unique Choices.
Local indie entrepreneurs aren’t stuck with a formula. They bring their own creativity and knowledge to their businesses to provide great selections and services tailored to local customers.
10. Better Service.
Local owners and employees really know their businesses and their customers, and offer more personalized service and relevant advice. You’re important to them, and it shows.
BUILD St. Louis is spreading the word about “Buying Locally.”
You may have seen BUILD St. Louis Member door signs, handout displays, and website buttons at some of your favorite local businesses. And our “Buy Locally” ads in locally owned independent publications such as The Healthy Planet Magazine, Sauce Magazine, The Gateway Gardener Magazine, and R3 Saint Louis. Or perhaps you heard about us on 88.1 KDHX, another great local indie.
Our members are local independents and nonprofits who really care about keeping our neighborhoods distinctive, vibrant, and stable by building our local economy. From the Downtown Loft District to Old Orchard, from The Loop to Downtown Kirkwood, from Maplewood to South Grand, our nonprofit group helps promote buying locally from ALL city and county independents and homegrown chains, not just our members.
Businesses, nonprofit groups, and citizens are helping BUILD St. Louis make a difference!
Business membership in BUILD St. Louis is open to locally owned independent businesses and St. Louis-based chains in St. Louis city and county. For only $21 a month, members receive printed and online marketing materials, free member socials, a year-long listing in our online Community Buying Guide, advertising discounts, and more. Small nonprofit groups can receive the same great benefits for just $125 per year. And citizens can support BUILD’s mission with as little as $25.
Please take a stand for local independents and join our coalition and co-op campaign! Visit our website at www.BUILDstlouis.org. And email us at info@buildstlouis.com for more information.
The Healthy Planet does not endorse any information contained in articles, advertisements or directory listings and we suggest consulting a health care professional before beginning any therapy or medical treatment.