"Don't Let This Happen to your Town" (the Death of Small Businesses Where You Live)

Originally posted back in 2014 under a different user name, I'm resharing this again. I still feel - despite the melancholy tone - that it has value and may inspire someone to really think before they leave town to shop elsewhere. We can't deny that this is indeed taking place all through our Main Streets and downtowns, neighborhoods and cities, and while I know "retail" as we once knew it will never be quite the same, I'm afraid that we as a society have stopped considering the implications of our choices, decisions and spending.

Support Your Independent Businesses by Shopping Local for Mom

Why shop local for Mother's Day? Because no one wants to give mom the same thing as everyone else. Many chain and big box stores all carry very similar items found from coast to coast. But the real deal, the unique things, now THOSE are often found in the smaller, local shops around the community. Don't give the same thing as everyone else - instead make the effort to visit, enjoy and support your independent retailers, restaurants, florists and businesses right where you live.

I Want to Tell You About Bookstores and Small Businesses Owners

It's Independent Bookstore Day and because I have this crazy passion for small business and the people who keep them open, I've been searching the internet for articles and news stories, promotional events and celebrations. I love to see the creativity which is born from small shops and entrepreneur dreams; read about places that have fought hard for years and decades to stay open and remain a piece of their local communities.

Independent Bookstore Day | "I Asked If You Would Go Buy a Book...."

Independent Bookstore Day is approaching on April 28th, and I was all out of ideas for ways to observe, take part or acknowledge the date. We've asked you before plenty of times to tag your fav indie shop, to post and tell us what the local corner stores mean to you, and to offer up names of places you can't imagine living without. And now, I just....want more.

Celebrating Entrepreneurship: It's Mom and Pop Business Owners Day

Did you know? March 29th is "National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day", a day to celebrate and recognize the owners of independents which make up so many of our favorite places, local icons and the history and fabric of our communities. There is so much more to acknowledge about Mom & Pop businesses than could fit into just one day! They are the heart and soul of our neighborhoods, the trusted people we turn to and the ones that for decades and generations have made our communities great.