12 Great Reasons to Shop Small this Saturday

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Chamber of Commerce is encouraging shoppers to buy local goods from small businesses this Saturday, Nov. 24, and provided 12 great reasons to keep cash close to home.

Keep Money Local: Sales taxes fund our communities, providing vital services such as police and fire protection, street repairs, and trash collection.

Local Investment: Local businesses are less susceptible to national downturns and more likely to work harder to stay open.

Locally-Made Products: Local business owners often sell local products which helps preserve the community’s distinction and creates more jobs locally.

Support for Non-Profit Organizations: Local businesses support good work in the community.

Discover Interesting Things and People: One-of-a-kind shops and restaurants are part of what makes a community a great place to live.

Personal Connection: You know the store owners and the store owners know you!

Product Knowledge: Local business owners are well-informed about the products that they are selling.

Diverse Products: Local store scarry unique items often not found in larger retail chains.

Cost Effective: Prices at local businesses are often better because of lower overhead.

Better Experience: Local shopping can translate into more convenient retail experiences.

Less “Leakage”: Local businesses tend to buy and sell with other local businesses.

Better Service: Local business owner are typically passionate about the products that they are selling, and are more apt to share that passion with local consumers.

According to the Towns County Chamber of Commerce, for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $73 remains in the local economy, and $27 leaves the area. When compared to $100 spent at a non-locally owned business, only $43 remains local, and $57 leaves the area. Recent research shows that local restaurants return nearly 79 percent of revenue to the community, compared to just over 30 percent for chain restaurants.

In Georgia alone, 99.6 percent of businesses are small businesses.

When profits stay local, it increases the community’s wealth, tax revenue, and quality of living.

Many area retail stores and restaurants will offer a “Shop Small Saturday” special or discount, and many businesses are giving away free “Shop Small Saturday” tote bags.

For additional information, contact the Towns County Chamber of Commerce at 706-896-4966.