There was this article in one of my local papers (Laconia Citizen) from a local shopkeeper imploring the local residents to buy from local businesses:
If Lakes Region residents devoted only 10 percent of their shopping to local businesses, it would benefit not only the region, but themselves in the long run, an noted author and expert on local economies told an audience Wednesday….
Hamel explained that a big problem in the economy is people not spending locally, but rather at "big box chain stores," and buying on the Internet…
Hammel said that with large corporations building chain businesses, they are essentially "stealing from local economy" by making consumers think that their money is being spent locally when it isn’t. He said if people shopped just a little more at the local level, it can make a big difference…
…Local business owners Randy and Sue Bullerwell, who also started BIBA, own All My Life Jewelers and they said they were forced to close their second shop, String ‘Em Up Bead Shop, because they were losing business to the Internet and larger chain jewelry stores.
"We got sick and tired of people saying what they bought online," said Randy. "It wasn’t helping our businesses and it wasn’t helping the area."
"We had two businesses downtown and because people don’t shop locally, we have one now," said Sue.
The phrase "stealing from the local economy" really struck me – do local businesses have a right to claim a profit first from the local population before the "big box stores"? If I spend at a Lowe’s or a Shaws, am I now participating in a "capitalist crime"?
Last time I looked, commerce in our capitalistic society is a voluntary decision – a price determines whether or not I shall buy an item or service and a vendor will sell. It shows…
a determination of value to me – and a coverage of costs to the vendor. This holds true UNLESS it has been restricted by government which reduces my freedom to choose – think a public utility monopoly or Obamacare.
Last time I looked, there is no obligation on my part to purchase ANYTHING locally (although Obamacare seemingly IS going to force me to purchase a service simply for being able to breath). In fact, to claim otherwise is wrong. I often do shop at the local Lowe’s – frankly, when I have the time TO shop, the local hardware store has been closed for hours – that doesn’t help "buying locally"
What isn’t mentioned is that the big box stores also provide local people with jobs and benefits – often more than what the smaller locals can offer. Should those employees just give up their added wealth from receiving higher wages? Should I force my family to accept a lower standard of living by buying goods at higher prices – is that doing right by my family?
I have a simple question to this jeweler: You want me to purchase locally – how much of your stock is made locally? Stated otherwise, why should I not do what you do every day – buy from distant suppliers? What makes your need to buy more special than mine?
This is similar to the "locavore" movement – we should not purchase food not grown locally (usually for "save the planet" or "food security" reasons) – both required decreased trade and choice.
There used to be a time when people in the West really were restricted to purchasing their goods only locally – it was called "the Middle Ages". I’m not ready to return to that time. And the unnecessary cost accrued with that.
