With our final “My Style” article of the year, we want to start with gratitude. We are grateful to have been able to share a little bit of our unique expertise including seasonal trends, fabulous upcoming things to watch for and best color pairings, and to provide a source of knowledge for OUR city! We are grateful for our SHIFT shoppers, new and seasoned, and grateful that you are ready to SHIFT your vibe to positivity when reading My City Magazine!
Especially in the chaos and anxiety of the holiday season, take a moment each morning to start your day with thoughts of gratitude. My city – OUR city – has so much to offer: great people, parks and restaurants, great places to explore, to connect with nature and friends, to watch a show, concert or movie … and great places to shop!
We know that mental health is directly tied to the need for human interaction and having real experiences; listening to music, seeing live entertainment and enjoying delicious meals with family and friends are key to a person’s well-being, and in turn to the well-being of a city, OUR city. During the election season now behind us, the economy was cited time and time again as one of America’s biggest concerns; so let’s revisit the economic impact of shopping locally.
The math supporting the “shop local” concept is compelling. Recent research from Civic Economics* indicates that for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, over $68 remains in the local economy. Compare that to the same $100 spent at a non-locally-owned business, where only $43 remains in the local economy. Plus, the same study indicates that local eateries return nearly 79 percent of revenues to the community, compared to just over 30 percent for chain restaurants! Local retailers retain 289 percent more revenue for the local economy than chain stores do – because dollars spent at a local, small business may recirculate in the local economy an average of 6-15 times. PLUS, did you know that small businesses make up to 136% more charitable donations per year than businesses with over 500 employees?!
It’s a fact that when profits stay local, it increases the community’s wealth, tax revenue and standard of living. Small, local businesses are still the backbone of our economy. They, WE, are local people, serving local people, employing local folks and generally committed to staying in the community, raising families and initiating a journey of growth that benefits us all.
Anyone concerned about the environment can also feel good about shopping locally as buying from local suppliers, shops and farmers reduces carbon emissions, the need for long-distance transportation via Amazon trucks, and packaging waste. Local vendors can provide better customer service and a custom-tailored gifting experience, which further contributes to the community’s mental health.
As local businesses thrive, they hire more employees, provide competitive wages and offer benefits that strengthen the financial security of our neighbors and friends.
Look for numerous holiday “Sip ‘n Shop” events where clusters of 30 or 40 vendors are all in one place – literally a one-stop shop – and find something for everyone on your list!
‘Tis the season for giving!
Give a neighbor a holiday porch pot from a local greenhouse like Carlson’s or Wojo’s, a loaf of bread, a pie or cookies from a local bakery like CRUST or King Arthur’s; bring a hostess a great bottle of wine from D’Vine Wines at the Flint Farmers’ Market or Merchant’s in Fenton; create a festive charcuterie board with goods from The Cheese Lady or J. Dean’s. Gift unique scarves, apparel and home goods from Mainstream Boutique in GB, Just Julie’s in Flushing and SHIFT in Fenton. Find a unique collection of men’s goodies at Bridge Street Exchange or gift an experience like concert or show tickets to The Whiting or FIM Capitol Theatre – the 2025 lineup is impressive and FUN! Purchase a membership to the Flint Institute of Arts, Sloan Museum of Discovery, the Flint Children’s Museum or any other amazing local institution and give the gift that keeps giving all year long through quality, life-enriching experiences.
In giving, we receive – so, shop local stores and support small, family-owned businesses whenever you can because WE are the fabric of YOUR city!
*civiceconomics.com
