Shopping in the 'hood

Tell the average person to "buy local" and they'll assume you mean that they should purchase products and goods that are domestically manufactured or produced. They'll conjure up images of saving auto jobs and keeping farmers out of bankruptcy.

While there is nothing wrong with this interpretation, I like to take it one step further by supporting the local businesses in our neighborhood.

When we buy domestically produced goods, we give the country's economy a much needed boost. Similarly, when we shop at the stores around the corner from our homes, we help them grow, thereby increasing our neighborhood's vitality.

Neighborhood Businesses Need Your Support

Shopping local doesn't necessarily mean buying tomatoes that the guy down the street grew in his garden (although I'm aware that this isn't too uncommon in many parts of the world), but there are many goods and services that can be provided for you without having to venture too far.

If you're a typical North American surbanite, you could likely get your oil changed, pick up groceries, drop off dry cleaning, bank, and order pizza all within a stone's throw from your front door.

Show me a community with vacant shops and "going out of business" signs in the windows and I'll show you a neighborhood in decline.

The shops down the street are vital to your community's well-being. Frequenting them keeps it that way.