Local businesses support communities

[IvanRaconteur]

A new partnership between a rental business in Belle Plaine and a hardware store in Lester Prairie is just one example of how small businesses are constantly looking for creative ways to survive. There is a perception that shopping at local businesses is more expensive, but what is the cost of not supporting local businesses? Most of the revenue from local businesses goes directly back into the local economy, while national chains and big box stores tend to funnel money out of the community. These large stores may offer low prices in the beginning, but what is their incentive to maintain this pricing after the competion has been eliminated? What is the real cost of purchases when one has to spend the time and money to drive 20 miles or more with gas at $3 per gallons? Small businesses are fighting for survival, and, in the big picture, the health of our communities is tied to the health of local businesses. We have choices about where to shop, but when businesses go away, our choices go with them.

[HikingStick]

I agree with you in principle, but find practical application of the 'only shop local' philosophy difficult. With a large family and a tight budget, we must make every penny stretch as far as it possibly can. We do as much as we can locally, particularly at the hardware store, the local drug store, and even some items at the local grocery, but we simply cannot get some items we need, or some items we want, locally.

Take grocery shopping as an example. Ours is a large family (more than three kids). While we love shopping at Glenn's in Winsted, we cannot buy the large packages or large quantity items which are on our grocery list. It makes no sense for us to buy and use six cans of corn at one sitting when we can open one 10# can of corn and use it for a number of meals. The cost difference is significant as well. There are also certain food items not available locally. We'll still get much of our milk, veggies, special treats, and last-minute items from Glenn's but it is simply not practical to do our primary shopping there. I wouldn't expect them to stock all of the items on our list, either, since they may not have enough other interested customers to warrant allocating the shelf- or freezer-space for the products we desire.

Yes, gas is an issue, but we limit our trips to Hutch or Buffalo to once or twice a month. The cost savings on our grocery and household shopping trips far outweighs the cost of gas.

Perhaps I'm still too new to the area (around 20 months), but where, locally, can we buy clothing? Furniture? Computers and electronics? Hobby supplies (I learned, with sadness, that a hobby store in Lester Prairie had just closed a few years ago)? We will continue to shop in Winsted for all that we can, but some things are simply not available. I've even been fighting my employer's health plan lately, because they want to require that all maintenance medications now be filled by a mail-order pharmacy in Florida, taking business away from our pharmacy in Winsted. I want to keep purchasing those maintenance prescriptions there, but I would need to pay an extra $25 per prescription, per month in order to do so. The economics of the issue wins the day.

[BelleRental]

I don't think that anyone would argue that area residents cannot purchase everything they need from local businesses. But, it is important to look around and see that there are MANY wonderful buisness in the area that are:
- unique, one-of-a-kind (great gift shops, restaurants)
- providing exceptional customer service (admit it, we've all had one of those horrible weekends at Menards when the high school-aged associate couldn't tell the difference between a nail and a hammer)
- investing in the community
- providing a comprehensive service or product line at competitive prices

Belle Rental Center is a great example. We provide a broad line of equipment, tool and party items that is as complete as any rental center "in the cities", AND at competitive prices. We are now providing our rental inventory to the residents of Lester Prairie and the surrounding communities, and will provide free to low cost delivery right to your home or work site. Talk about customer service! So remember, look local first. You might be happily surprised.

[Working Mom]

This shouldn't be considered an "all or nothing" situation. It is important to recognize that businesses need customers to stay in business, so shop locally, when you can. Also, I have found local business owners to be very interested in items that you would purchase, but they don't currently carry. Let them know what items you would purchase, if they would stock them. When you need a special item, they are very often happy to order it.

Just try to do a little bit more locally. When everyone does this, it really helps!