We hear about the importance of supporting local business everywhere, but do we follow through? Some of us avoid the large box stores unless we don't have a choice. Some sing the praises of their favourite shops to friends and family. Some read about local bloggers' sponsored visits to local stores, some stops even hit twice! Some have even attended Cash Mobs.
According to statistics presented by The 3/50 Project, $68 of every $100 spent at an independent business stays in a community compared to $43 spent in a chain store. Naturally, when you make an online purchase at, say Amazon.ca, nothing is injected locally.
How does uptown Saint John fare when it comes to supporting local business?
Since Holly and I started Cash Mobs and, resulting from the positive energy we received from that endeavour, opened our own business, The New Artisan Studio, the following uptown businesses have closed their doors:
- Robin's BeadWorks (our first Cash Mobs destination)
- Rowena's Boutique
- Appleby's Image Centre
- Belly Beautiful Maternity and Baby (moved to Rothesay)
- Bejamin's Books (not uptown, but needed to mention since this was a Cash Mobs Destination too)
On a positive note, there are shops opening too. Exchange on Germain,Classy Lassy and Harrison House Gallery come to mind.
Saint John born Canadian Icon Stompin' Tom Connors died last night and as I listened to an interview on CBC Radio with Jian Ghomeshi from a couple years ago, lamenting the fact that I didn't know as much of this man as I should have, Tom was asked about the changes he's seen in Canada over his life and this uber-loyal patriot expressed his regret that it once meant something to him to be able to say he knew each blade of grass in this country, but now each town has lost its individuality as mega-outlets like Walmart set up their box store replicas.
How many reading have been to the newest Walmart on the west side?
Let's make our lawns unique - support local independent business.
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