The whole ‘shop locally’ thing can be a pile of crap. Better to shop efficiently — which doesn’t always mean choosing the business around the corner. But when you consider the entire equation, the shop around the corner often scores pretty well on the efficiency scale. Add bonus points for not having empty storefronts in your neighborhood.
So, how to help people shop efficiently (which often means locally!) more? The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce is exploring the creation of a program to encourage more shopping, dining, drinking, etc. on the Hill — and they need help from you in shaping it. Here’s a short survey the Chamber is using to gauge interest in a Capitol Hill Card concept — basically, a ‘membership’ card that gives holders deals and discounts at participating businesses. Businesses won’t have to be part of the Chamber to be part of the program. The rest is yet to be worked out — with your feedback.
Survey should take less than 3 minutes to complete and feel free to pass the link along. And, if you operate a Capitol Hill business, the survey has questions for you, too.
BTW, Charlette LeFevre, owner of the Seattle Museum of Mysteries on Broadway, continues to work on her Capitol Hill currency idea so there could be a few ways to save a buck and shop on the Hill soon.
why is shopping locally often “a pile of crap”? I may or may not agree (never given it any thought, to be honest) but you write it as though it’s already a proven, common fact.
I’m glad you said something. Don’t mean to sound like The American Spectator. I believe in shopping locally. Never said often. Said can be. There are examples where the ‘shop local’ message can mask increased packaging, increased transportation and a larger carbon footprint. It can also mean supporting businesses that are poorly run. Trying to be rational about it, not dogmatic. Which takes us to what I wrote next:
But when you consider the entire equation, the shop around the corner often scores pretty well on the efficiency scale. Add bonus points for not having empty storefronts in your neighborhood.