Top Ten Reasons To Buy Local
Source: Sustainable Connections
1. Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community. FR is locally owned and operated since its inception in 1987.
2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. FR sponsors over 50 local road races each year, each of these events support community based non-profits.
3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. "When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace." -Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust. Located in a charming, tree-lined community, adjacent to The Ohio State University, minutes from downtown Columbus and other historic neighborhoods. FR offers community residents and visitors to Columbus a unique specialty store experience vastly different from chain or big box stores.
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution. FR is centrally located within Columbus, allowing for an economically easy commute for most city residents. Employees reside within a 20 mile radius of FR, limiting their carbon footprint.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and, in our community, provide the most jobs to residents. FR employees are all residents of Columbus with a diverse range of educational and professional backgrounds.
6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers. FR employees are runners, walkers and serious fitness enthusiasts. FR sales associates work one-on-one with customers, and spend as much time as needed to ensure customer satisfaction.
7. Invest in community: Lcoal businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's future. The owner's of FR are permanent residents of Columbus.
8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices. FR is a specialty running and walking store with the purpose of providing customers with the best product to meet their shoe and apparel needs.
10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. The essence of FR is its personalized shoe fitting service, for nearly 25 years FR has been at the forefront of the industry for citizens of Columbus and surrounding counties. Our unique style of service contributes to providing the customer with an enhanced shopping experience.
