We’ve all heard it before: “Buy local.” We may have a vague idea of why it’s important to support small businesses and mom-and-pop stores, but it’s hard to get motivated to do so when the reasons aren’t right in front of us. After all, it’s so easy to log into Amazon and order what we need with a few clicks—and without looking anywhere else.

But the fact is, buying local has far-reaching implications for our economy, our communities, and our environment. In this blog post, we’ll break down what those implications are, and give you actionable ways to support your local businesses like Chirp (and enjoy services and products you may not have been exposed to before).

Why Buy Local?

Shoppers peruse the products in the aisle of a local shop.

It’s better for the economy.

The latest data available reveals that nearly 100,000 US businesses have permanently closed since the start of COVID-19. During this same time frame, one large retailer’s stock has gone up 77%.. The discrepancy between the two statistics is staggering. But it’s not surprising. Even before the pandemic, small businesses have suffered from large retailers crowding out the marketplace. In fact, research conducted by the Social Science Quarterly found that with every Wal-Mart store that opens, roughly 14 smaller retail stores close within a year and a half.

It’s important to look at the above statistics in light of the fact that 95% of US companies are small businesses. And nearly half of the US workforce is employed by small businesses. In fact, from 2000 to 2008, small businesses created 9.6 million jobs, while large businesses created about half that number. There’s no denying that buying from a locally owned small business has a ripple effect on the economy. It creates more jobs and encourages the growth of other small businesses—both of which are critical for a recovering economy.

It’s better for the community.

A smiling local shop owner helps a woman customer find a top in a friendly exchange.

Let’s bring it down to a more personal level: buying local supports your neighbors and friends in the community. First, it keeps money circulating within the community. If you buy from your local stores instead of a big-box store, you’re nurturing your local economy, and building trust and connection with your neighbors. You get to know the people behind the products, many of whom are local farmers, craftsmen, artisans, and other people who love what they do and put their heart into their products and services. Plus, your local businesses put money back into your community through taxes that support schools, parks, streets, and other important functions in your community. And many local stores give back by supporting their communities with local outreach programs—like Chirp does with our Bird Walks and Bird Talks.

It’s better for the environment.

A local merchant sells a woman a fresh, locally grown apple.

Buying local goods results in a much smaller footprint. Often, small businesses buy from local vendors, like we do at the Chirp Nature Center. Larger retailers sell and ship across the country, meaning more carbon emissions from trucks driving across country to deliver their goods. In fact, experts have noted that buying local could save us 5 to 17 times the carbon dioxide emissions. And then there’s the issue of packaging. Overall, large retailers use more product packaging than smaller stores, and that’s not even adding the extra shipping materials. Eating local often means more organic food, which means less pesticides harming us and our earth, and killing off our wildlife.

It’s better for you.

A young man and woman pose, smiling, in front of the local eatery they own.

Imagine a world with only large retailers and restaurant chains. Sounds boring at best, downright depressing at worst, right? Unfortunately, the end of small business is already being predicted, if we’re not willing to make some changes as consumers. What does that mean for our local communities? It means a world where Portland is kept dull rather than “weird,” and Boulder is kept anything but “fun.” Buying local as much as possible fosters a friendlier, more close-knit community—and gives you more interesting shopping options.

But beyond enjoying less homogenized communities, shopping local has health benefits for you and your family. Local produce and meats are more likely to be chemical-free and organic. You can also enjoy getting to know your local shop owners, staff, and families. And personalized service is much more likely when people know you better.

How You Can Support Local Businesses

Get to know your local businesses

The Chirp Nature Center staff poses outside our store!
The friendly owners, staff, and friends of the Chirp Nature Center.

Before you can make a concentrated effort to buy local goods, you first have to know who your local businesses are. In our town at Big Bear Lake, we have many shops, restaurants, and other small businesses to patronize. For a list of the businesses in our area, check out this helpful resource from the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce.

Don’t live in the Big Bear area? There are many resources available that will give you lists of the small businesses in your area, including:

  • Yelp
  • The Yellow Pages
  • Use Google to search “(Business type) in my area” and pick a local shop or eatery from the results.

Support “Small Business Saturday”

A woman shops at her local book store, with a bag of produce from her local grocer.

Now a recognized holiday in the US, Small Business Saturday falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a day where customers are encouraged to buy from local shops and dine at local eateries instead of big-box stores and restaurant chains.

Make your own weekly “Small Business Day”

A restaurant table of food, shown from the top. A couple enjoys brunch, and a variety of new dishes, at the new local eatery.

Why not make it a weekly goal to buy from a local vendor at least once a week? Not only would it benefit your local shops and restaurants, but it would open you up to new experiences you might not have found otherwise. Why not try that new Peruvian restaurant in your neighborhood, or window shop at that all-natural goods store that you always drive by?

If you like it, share it

Did you know that positive online reviews can give a business 18% more sales? In fact, customers will spend up to 31% more with a brand because of their online reviews. One way to support your favorite mom and pop? Write them a review sharing your great experience. Where should you write them? Yelp, Google, and Facebook are all great platforms—why not write a review on each?

Talk about it on social

A woman's hand holding her phone, as she sips her nearby latte, posting about her favorite local coffee shop on Instagram.

Much like online reviews, social sharing is crucial to help your local spots get the word out for their business. Do you love the handmade soaps you bought from your local gift shop? Love seeing so many more birds at your feeders since you bought that locally sourced seed blend? Shout it out on your Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, or wherever you are online. Snap a photo of you enjoying the product or service, and don’t forget to tag the business so they and their other customers can see your post.

A Chirp Promise to You

Some of the smiling faces and fun events you’ll experience at Chirp!

As a small business, we at the Chirp Nature Center love serving our local Big Bear community. We love getting to know our neighbors, building our community, and connecting through our love of birds and nature. We appreciate each and every one of our customers, and know that we wouldn’t be where we are without you. That is why you can always expect the following from us:  

Thanks for being an integral part of our success at Chirp, and for supporting us and other local businesses—you really are making a difference!