"Shop Local" Community Contest Idea

Do you know what this is? It's been around for a number of years, but unfortunately I've never seen a name on it. We've probably all seen or shared it a couple of times, haven't we?

Support Your Locally-owned Independent Tack Shop

If you've followed my page on Facebook - the one with the oddly long name "Go Independent, Shop Small (Anywhere USA)", you may have noticed that our love and support of small businesses focuses quite a bit on niche markets and specialized independent retailers. And why not!? They are most often the best source of knowledgeable owners and staff, highly experienced hands-on type of people, who can recommend products, solve problems, and best of all, listen and give advice for your specific needs. How much better does life get!?

Fall In Love With Your Favorite Independent Businesses Again

Celebrate the season by making a difference today - enjoy the warm & fuzzy vibes which come from "keeping things local" and ensuring your favorite places remain open.

We Have Choices: Where We Spend STILL Matters

The choice to put more thought into decisions; to think more carefully before spending; to "buy better" - is ALWAYS up to us. (Unless you waited until the very last minute and now need a gift tonight, and the only thing open is walmart or the gas station). 🤣

   

Where Should We Shop? Home Improvement Decisions and Choices

** MEMORIAL WEEKEND DECISIONS ** (featuring artwork by moi....) This story depicts yet another choice in the life of people who WANT to buy local and spend better, but who are also a little impatient perhaps (?) and just want to go one place and get all the stuff they need. Hmm....sound familiar? 😃

    

Choices, Decisions, Options: Does Shopping Locally Really Matter?

TODAY'S INSTALLMENT OF: "Why Local Choices Are Better" - An illustration that may be simple in design but which delivers an important message anyone who cares about their town or city may wish to ponder.

    

"The Heart and Soul of Our Country" | National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day

National "Mom & Pop Business Owners Day" is an opportunity to celebrate the independent, often family-owned businesses, which our make communities diverse and vibrant. To participate, simply plan to visit, enjoy and acknowledge some of your coolest local spots on Tuesday, March 29th.

Should You Find Yourself Having To Close a Door....

We're a positive kind of movement, and don't dwell on sad stuff too often. However, it's inevitable that we're going to come across some difficult news about a small business closing it's doors from time to time, and so I wanted to share this with you.

It's Okay To Wait for Things (Better Decisions Matter)

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to daily choices, spending options and consumerism. Not just for me and my family, but about simple principles which *may* resonate with others as well - people who share in thinking less just might be more - and who subscribe to the theory that independent businesses are indeed a quality decision.

     

Life is NOT All About Convenience

.....if every independent business had a great big brilliantly marquee sign like this....they could tell us how long they'd been around, how much flavor they bring to their city, what their unique story has been over the years or decades they've been a part of our world....how intertwined they are with our lives.

Milestone Moment: January 25th, 2022

Today is a milestone. It's not one I'm bragging about or mentioning because I hope people will leave comments, and it's not that I want you to even say anything. In a way, i guess I'm thinking out loud about why I'm here, what the goal is/was....taking stock of the last batch of years and mulling over what's been written, said, discussed, argued about perhaps, shared, and pondered.

  

"Local Spending is All About Better Choices"

Posted on our Facebook page today, after someone got annoyed at what we said. That happens occasionally..... not often, but it happens. They said they had never "felt so guilt tripped to go shop at walmart"......and we just don't know what to say to that. 😕

 

Over the River and Around the Big Box Stores We Go

A sketch artist I am not, thus I operate under the assumption that my enthusiasm for indie businesses will delight and influence the masses. (Is it working!??)