Commentary: This February 17, 2018, is Territorial Charter Day and Silver City MainStreet is initiating a downtown promotion called Love Local. Downtown merchants are offering great deals, drawings, and discounts because they love our local community. Silver City MainStreet loves our local businesses.
Local businesses are owned by people who live in our community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in our community’s future. If you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in our local economy. If you spend the same are a large business, only $43 stays in our local economy. Additionally, small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to non-profits and community causes.
Studies find that a community’s level of social capital, civic engagement, and well-being is positively related to the share of its economy held by local businesses, while the presence of mega-retailers undermine social capital and civic participation.
Overall, buying local is a chance to support the growing Maker Movement, meet talented artisans and small business owners who take great pride in their work, experience handmade, one-of-a-kind and meaningful gifts, and support our community.
If you have not been downtown recently, this is a great day to shop local. Look for the Love Local posters in the windows of participating merchants.
The mission of Silver City MainStreet is "To encourage a vibrant, historic downtown Silver City which is recognized as the heart of our diverse community." Please visit our website, www.silvercitymainstreet.com to learn more.