What Does “Thanks for Shopping Local” Really Mean?
Take a stroll through our beautiful community and you’ll notice something new: brightly coloured banners lining the downtown streetlights, proudly proclaiming, “Thanks for Shopping Local.” But what does that message truly mean, and why does it matter?
At first glance, it might seem like a simple slogan or seasonal reminder. But dig a little deeper, and those four words carry a powerful message about how our everyday choices impact the community we call home.
When you choose to shop at a locally-owned business - whether it's picking up a gift at the corner shop, grabbing a coffee from the neighbourhood café, or investing in services from a nearby professional - you’re doing more than making a purchase. You're helping build a stronger, more sustainable local economy.
It’s called the local multiplier effect. For every dollar spent at a local business, up to 68 cents stays right here in our community. That money supports wages for local employees, contributes to property taxes that fund our roads and schools, and often circles back into the community through sponsorships, donations, and partnerships with other local businesses. In contrast, when we shop online or at big-box stores, as little as 14 cents of every dollar spent stays in the local economy, while the rest is sent to head offices, distribution centres, or shareholders elsewhere.
Supporting local means supporting people. Local businesses are among the largest employers in small towns and cities. They provide jobs for our neighbours, our friends, and our families. And as these businesses grow, so do their needs; leading to new hiring, new training opportunities, and new investments in the local economy.
They also support one another. A local clothing store might insure their business through a local broker, get signage printed by a downtown printer, grab coffee and lunch from nearby cafés and restaurants, and fuel and service their delivery vehicle at the local garage. They might bank with a community branch, pay wages that circulate back into local grocery stores, and advertise through a hometown newspaper. This web of daily interactions forms a thriving local ecosystem, one where success is shared and community support runs deep.
Shopping local is about more than economics, it’s about connection. Local business owners are often your neighbours. They know your name, remember your preferences, and greet you with genuine appreciation. They’re the ones decorating storefronts during the holidays, sponsoring the minor hockey team, and volunteering at community events.
The unique character of our community - its charm, its warmth, and its sense of identity - is directly tied to the people who operate businesses here. When you shop local, you're not just preserving that character, you’re helping it flourish.
So the next time you see those banners downtown “Thanks for Shopping Local” know that it’s more than a thank you. It’s a reminder that your choices matter. That your support keeps the lights on, the doors open, and the community growing.
Michael Russelo | Chair, Blenheim BIA
