This holiday season shop at your local stores while you still have a chance!

[nadine_mn]

If you are like me, you pass by local shops and restaurants and say to yourself "That place looks cool, I should check it out" and then keep driving by. There may be a variety of reasons you chose the big box store over the mom and pop- easier parking, more selection, cheaper prices, closer to home...etc.

Stop it. Turn your car around and get your butt back to the local store. Otherwise you may be too late and will miss out.

I say this because this year I am mourning the loss of some of my favorite independent beloved craft stores - a wonderful and friendly bead store and it's sister scrapbooking store went out of business after over 20 yrs and Paper Depot -a Minneapolis institution of awesome paper selection and go-to place for brides-to-be who want to make their own invitations - is now closing its doors after over 35 yrs.

I have been out of work for the last few years so my disposable income to spend on craft supplies has diminished greatly. When I was working, I had no problem dropping $100 on a whole bunch of beads, findings, papers, etc. I still have all the crap I bought because I like to buy and then just hoard it at home...but that is a story for another post. I have gotten lazy - shopping at Michael's or Jo-Ann's because it is cheaper and they are everywhere. But when I want something unique or funky or just want to see friendly faces who know their shit... I would go to my local store. And now... there are no more. Almost all of the independent craft stores have gone out of business in Twin Cities area (if you know of one, let me know).

I mention craft stores in this post, but I am pretty sure you can substitute any other type of business. There was this awesome bakery that went out of business a few years ago... and then this year new owners bought and are bringing it back to life. They have a facebook page and I was so happy to see so many people cheering them on - now they need to back up all those 'likes' with $$.

It is easy to think that these places that have been around forever will continue to be around and sadly that is just not true. I know times are hard financially for lots of folks but it is even harder for the small business owner being edged out by big box stores. There are many benefits to shopping locally - the money spent stays in the local economy, product diversity, creates local jobs etc. But for me the part I have loved is how local business owners know their products, know their customers, share your passion and truly value your patronage. Shopping at a local pet store, I was looking for a soft e-collar for my dog (I have the big plastic one - she hates it) and the clerk started asking me why I needed it - we got into a discussion of our dogs, the sores they get from licking, joint pain, etc. She pointed me out to other products to try - things I had not thought of (coconut oil for dogs- they love it). I could never have had this conversation at PetCo or PetSmart.

I am going to make an effort to maybe drive a little out of my way, pay a few extra $$ and fight for a parking spot so I can check out that cool store that I have always wanted to but haven't yet. Granted, I am not going to be able to throw down the cash like I once did (damn I miss working) but even a little is better than nothing.

[yeoman6987]

1. Interesting Thread

I must say you are right. I used to go to the bakery in town but now get all my bake goods at Giant and cakes at Sam's Club. You are so right, but the prices are just outrageous at the smaller owned bakeries. I used to get cupcakes at the local town bakery for 2.89 a piece. Now Giant will make the SAME cupcake for 1.30 a piece. I normally get around 60 cupcakes a month. Small stores are going to have to reevaluate their business model. I am afraid it is their own fault that they are not surviving. I am not sure I would say greed but to almost double the cost of a item is just plain wrong.