Do you shop locally where possible?

[LisaM]

I do, and I had a discussion with a friend about this the other day. For the most part, I try to avoid the big box stores. I eat lunch at small local places (I work downtown), patronize independent bookstores, etc. The main exception is clothes and groceries - our local chain, QFC, was bought by Kroger, and we don't really have any local grocery stores except PCC, which I go to occasionally.

Anyway, I was thinking about this and realized that even though in some cases it costs more to shop at these smaller places (and I'm not rich) it's kind of a quality of life tax - I like the small, friendly places that can carry the stock they want and I don't want them to go away. It came up because my friend was comparing the discount she could get at amazon.com to the discount she could get at Barnes & Noble (I don't get a discount at my little indy store, but that's okay).

[PVnRT]

1. I try to

But when it comes to aquarium fish, the local places generally don't take good care of them, and one sold us some plants carrying ich on them. Our clown loach got so infected we had to euthanize him.

Additionally, many of our local shops are run by people less than reputable...it's mostly safer to stick with the chains so you don't get ripped off.

[Rosemary2205]

2. many of the big chains are actually local franchises.

My ace hardware, dollar store, payless shoes, big lots, olive garden, oreck store and fashion bug I know are indy owned franchises. I could probably name more if I thought on it awhile.

I agree, I like giving my business to the indy's rather than the big box chains.

[Little Wing]

3. Yep, lots of nice handmade stuff in my little podunk town

[ohiosmith]

4. Depends on service, product availability and price.

I shop where I get the best value for my money and my business is appreciated.

[Lowell]

5. I always try to shop in

businesses that are not part of a national chain. The wife and I go to mom and pop restaurants and local hardware stores. Unfortunately all we have for grocery stores are the chains. We never go to WalMart or KMart.

[Patiod]

6. Make an effort whenever possible

For dinners out - ALWAYS a local restaurant - no chains for us, EVER. We are so blessed to live in a city with such amazing family-owned restaurants, even great pizza (no Little Ceasars or Domino's EVER) For fast food when we're 30 minutes late running somewhere, yes, we'll grab a .99 burger at McDonalds or BurgerKing, but anything other than an emergency, we go local.

For hardware, we always go to the local hardware store first - only go to Loew's when it's something (lamps) that the local family doesn't have.

No local markets anymore - the two local chains sold out. No local bookstores unless I plan ahead enough to get it on my lunch hour at work downtown.

[dr.strangelove]

7. I shop at lots of places

I buy our fruits and veggies at the local growers' market when its in season, otherwise its the big supermarket for me. I buy most of my "yard" clothes at a small local work store, but suits and such come from Brooks Brothers. For electronics, its the local electronics store, unless they can;t come close to the Best Buy price. They usually come close and I buy from them.

[leftofthedial]

8. if at all possible

it's hard for some products

grocery chains are now conglomerates

I purchase very little and then only with cash. Local CD stores (although I haven't bought a CD in years other than with gift certificates)

local indy bookstore (we have one of the best in the world)

I've had to buy a few things for home maintenance and there are no local options


:shrug:

[RebelOne]

9. I shop locally, but all the local stores are big chains.

I have Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Kroger, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, etc., practically around the corner.

[swag]

10. Oh yeah,

but I'm rich because I don't have any kids.

And anyway if I can find a book used and in good shape at Powell's, why would I buy it new from Amazon or Borders?

Still, I do buy from Amazon and Borders, and don't feel bad because I have friends who work for those places.

[1gobluedem]

11. As much as I can

My two favorite grocery stores are local family-owned chains that are only in SE Michigan. I try to shop the Farmers' Market for produce in summer and fall. I know Borders is a chain but it did start in Ann Arbor so that's where I shop for books.

Ann Arbor is crawling with independent restaurants, pizza places, etc (Domino's originated here too but I'm not crazy about their pizza plus I used to work at the HQ in the 80s which was insane), so I am very lucky there. I'm not sure I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant -- with the exception of fast food -- here.

Clothes, well that's a different story. Most of the local places are either priced way too high for my budget or are geared to skinny little college girls. I order most of my clothes from catalogues.

[LisaM]

12. We don't have very many independent clothing stores here

A couple of places at the Market, but the stuff isn't very practical. I DO shop a lot at a little clothing store in the San Juan Islands.

[BarenakedLady]

13. Well, since I live in the boonies

Yes. The closest grocery store is a locally owned one. But for big shopping for more vegetarian options I have to go to Wegman's which technically is locally owned, since it started here, but they have branched out quite aways now.

[usaftmo]

14. When possible? Yes, but it's a rare thing here in MS.

Katrina wiped out nearly all the locally owned businesses, and the few that remain are mainly owned by rethuglicans.

[LisaM]

15. I was thinking about it because it seems like Seattle is getting much more big box

They are "upgrading" our nice in-city mall (starting with a horrible monolithic parking structure) and putting in a Barnes and Noble, multiplex theatre, etc. - DESPITE neighborhood resistance. The mayor is a Democrat, but is kind of a bully and is pushing a lot of new development. Downtown is full of chains - in the time I've lived here, it's changed drastically.

[CBHagman]

16. I'm devoted to local music/bookstores.

The grocery store where I shop is owned by an international corporation, but the place is unionized, so I don't feel bad about going there. It was hard, though, not to cross the picket line once when there was a strike. I crossed once to buy a newspaper. :blush:

As for other items, I do go to department stores and even (horror of horrors) very "red" stores like Office Depot and Staples. But most of the time I have trouble finding what I want, so I've gotten used to buying things out of catalogues, simply because there's more choice and it saves time.