You know the person behind the counter, and they know you. These businesses survive by their reputation, which means you get a higher standard of service.
Seventy cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays locally, unlike money spent with National Chain stores. Nonprofits receive an average of 350% more support from local business owners than from non-locally owned businesses.
Chain businesses change the character of our neighborhoods. The “mallification” of America and the world is a threat to our regional cultures.
Local shops are more likely to stock locally sourced goods saving long distance freighting.
Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally; the more jobs in your community, the less people have to commute, meaning less traffic and pollution.