One of the objections I often hear to the need for us all to "shop local first" is that "big boxes create jobs, too."
That's true. They may not be good paying jobs, or may lack benefits and job security may be a fiction, but they are jobs.
They're not jobs as good as those that have been displaced by the big boxes, particularly the manufacturing jobs driven off shore by demands for ever cheaper products, but they are jobs.
But the most important counter argument to "they create jobs, too," is that shopping local creates more jobs.
I recently came across this 2008 study commissioned by a shop local group in Michigan that found if just 10 percent of the consumers in their county made buying local a priority, it would result in an estimated $140 million in new economic activity, 1,600 new jobs, and $50 million in new wages.
That's because when you support a locally owned business, more of your money is staying in the community rather than being shipped off to some corporate headquarters in another state.
In a recession, in a Western New York economy battered by manufacturing job losses and a mismanaged Albany, shouldn't we all be doing our best to support the local economy first? If can't depend on each other, who can we depend on? There's no quick-fix coming from Albany or Washington. It's up to us.
So, whenever possible (and I realize for a number of reasons, it isn't always possible), shop local first. The more you do, the more it helps.
And a majority of the local businesses that need your support are sponsors of The Batavian, so when you patronize the businesses below, you're doing two good deeds.
Thank you, the readers, and to the sponsors for helping to make 2010 a great year for Billie and I.
3 D Wine & Spirits
A.D. Call and Sons
Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
Alberty Drug Store
Alex's Place
Alli's Cones and Dogs
Baker's Frontier Kitchens
Barrett's Batavia Marine and Sporting Supplies
Batavia Downs
Beds 'n' Bones Pet Lodge
Blue Pearl Yoga
Bontrager's Auction
Bontrager's Real Estate
Carlson's Studio
CASA
Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
Center Street Smokehouse
Christiano Cellular
Classic Home Improvements
Clor's Meat Market
Crazy Cheap Cars
D&R Depot Restaurant
The Daily Grind
Dan's Tire
Delavan's Restaurant and Tavern
Dupont TV
Empire Tractor
The Enchanted Florist
Fastec Automotive
Ferrellgas
Foxprowl Collectibles
Genesee County Emergency Services
Genesee Dental Group
Genesee Graphics
Gilmartin
Habitat for Humanity
Hair Studio 25
Hardcor Audio
H.E. Turner & Co.
Holy Family School
I.R. Systems
The Insurance Center
J. Leonard McAndrew
John's Service Station
Ken Barrett
KleenAll
Kraving's Kafe
Lamb Family Medicine
Larry's Steakhouse
Lathan Tree Service
Lawley Genesee
Lewis and Lewis
Licata Chiropractic
Main St. Pizza Company
The Mane Attraction
The Manor House
Margarita's
Mark Lewis Agency
Matteo & Mullen, CPA
Matty's Pizzeria
Max Pies
Michael Tomaszewski
Millennium Computer
Mobile Dog Grooming
Mr. Wine & Liquor
Next Level Fitness
O'Lacy's Irish Pub
Oliver's Candies
Optique
Pauly's Pizza
Pellegrino Auto Sales
Pheasants on the Flats
Present Tense Books
Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center
P.W. Minor
Red Osier
Roxy's Music
Russell Marchese, DDS
Scratch Bakery
Select Collision
Settler's
Sloat Tire
South Beach
South Main Country Store
Stafford Trading Post
Southside Deli
Spray In Insulation
Terry Hills
T.F. Brown's
Topline Shirt Company
Valle Jewelers
West Main Wine & Spirits
WNY Blacktop Sealers
WNY Fireplace Outlet
Yasses Snow Removal
Lets get a poll going. I've
Lets get a poll going.
I've done business with 17 of The Batavian's current sponsors at one time or another. 3 were specifically BECAUSE they are advertisers on this site. I was surprised - I would have expected that number to be much higher.
Others?
Howard, I'm glad that you
Howard, I'm glad that you chose now to list all these local businesses and added the statistics about the ability of small businesses to create viable jobs in the local community. Of that list, a good deal of them are the very people who stand to lose if Democrats get their way and end the tax cuts for those evil rich people. A common misconception about small businesses is how they are judged. We all know small business owners and we look at their lifestyle and perceive that by the less than opulent living, they must not be among those making $250,000 a year (the new standard by which you are judged to be a bloodsucking empire builder), when the truth is, it is not uncommon for businesses like these to have revenue streams that reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, after paying taxes, wages, overhead, increasing costs of doing business in and unstable economy, they forge out a very modest living, often itmes falling at or below even middle class standards. At a time when smaal business owners need it most, Democrats are villfying them and undercutting their confidence in the future ecnomic climate. This is where the Republicans have failed in letting the left control the dialogue on these tax changes. We have heard these deals referred to as the Obama tax cut deals, or Obama tax cut compromise, when the truth is whatis being negotiated are extensions of the previous administration tax cuts(across the board tax cuts, not just tax cuts for the rich as advertised by the left and perpetuated by the media). If the the tax cuts are extended as is it will be a victory for these small businesses and the economy as a whole, but the it will be in spite of Democratic resistance, not because of their championing the middle class.
I have patronized many of
I have patronized many of these sponsors over the years.But the sad thing is I need to watch how much I spend,and unfortunately have to shop at the"big box stores" to make my dollar go farther.When things get better-I will support the local businesses more,but I hope it won't be too late then......
Just sent my parents their
Just sent my parents their gift basket from Olivers. It may not be the cheapest but it is the best. They really look forward to it and love sharing it with all of their friends in Florida. Nothing like Olivers chocolate! You can't buy that at Walmart.
A good read about
A good read about Walmart:
http://lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?story=3028&go=4