Now, more than ever, we need to support our local independent businesses.

Spend your money wisely during these tough times. Don’t let St. Louis become just another generic Anytown, overloaded with chain stores and franchise businesses. Most consumers believe the myth that chain businesses are always cheaper, or the best value. It’s not true. Plus, St. Louis’ locally-owned independent businesses provide much more than just good prices:
Better Service. Local independent owners and employees really know their business and their customers, offering more personalized service and relevant advice. You’re important to them, and it shows!
Superior Quality. Based on Consumer Reports® and others, many local independents provide higher-quality products and services that the average chain business.

Unique Choices. Locally-owned independent businesses aren’t stuck with a formula. They bring their own creativity and knowledge to their businesses, offering selections and services you won’t find elsewhere.
Local Investment. Unlike chain businesses, a locally-owned independent business returns about 45 cents of each dollar spent back into the St. Louis community. And dollars you spend at local independents have a “multiplier effect” — every dollar you spend generates FIVE TIMES that amount as it cycles back through St. Louis-area neighborhoods and other local businesses. Local owners share local concerns with the rest of us, and are here to stay. They’re essential to our local prosperity, and truly help build St. Louis.

BUILD St. Louis is spreading the word about “Buying Locally.”

You may have seen BUILD St. Louis door decals and handouts at favorite locals such as Schlafly Tap Room, MoKaBe’s, Subterranean Books, Bowood Farms, Cornucopia, Euclid Records, Good Works, Pedro’s Planet, Phoenix Rising, Scheidt Hardware, and EarthWays Center.
These are just a few of the great locally-owned independents and nonprofits who really care about keeping their neighborhoods distinctive, vibrant, and stable. From the Downtown Loft District to Old Orchard, from the Loop to Downtown Kirkwood, from Maplewood to South Grand, it’s our local independents that give St. Louis neighborhoods their authentic character and make living here better.

Why are local independent businesses joining BUILD St. Louis?

Because they know there’s strength in numbers as part of BUILD St. Louis’ area-wide marketing effort. By displaying the BUILD St. Louis decal, distributing our handouts to their customers, and listing/linking their business on our website’s Community Buying Guide, they promote not only their own business but those of others who are committed to making St. Louis a better place to live.
The more businesses that participate (with in-store and online BUILD St. Louis reminders), the more consumers will remember to buy locally more often -- and tell their friends and families to do the same. As local-brands loyalty grows, with members actively promoting other members, locals are more likely to survive alongside the big chains. There are hundreds of local independents in St. Louis and, as they join forces through BUILD, they can improve local buying habits.
And because BUILD St. Louis is a volunteer-based nonprofit group, our members receive far more than they actually pay for in dues, thanks to some of our members’ and volunteers’ generous donations of time and services to the cause.

Join BUILD St. Louis and make a difference.