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Shop Local

Ten reasons why you should shop locally first.

For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 goes back into the community, strengthening the tax base.  For every $100 spent at a chain store,  only $43 comes back.*

2. Embrace what makes Cleveland Heights and University Heights different

One-of-a-kind independent businesses are part of what gives Cleveland Heights and University Heights their attractive character. But competition from well funded national chains can be very aggressive, and our local merchants can't survivie without our business. If we wanted to live and shop in a cookie-cutter suburb, we wouldn't be here.

3. Get better service

Local businesses often hire people who have a better understanding of the products and services they're selling, and who take more time to get to know customers and their neighborhoods.

4. Buy what you want, not what the national headquarters wants to sell you

Locally focused small businesses can be much more responsive to local needs than a national chain.  Together, a network of local independent businesses guarantees a more diverse selection that is better aligned with the home community.

5. Create more good jobs

Taken together, small local businesses employ more residents than national chains.  Local business owners are more loyal to their employees, and vice versa.

6. Help the environment

Independent local businesses locate in our trraditional commercial districts, a short drive away or even within walking distance of our homes.  National chains build on the suburban fringe, leading to more sprawl, traffic congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.

7. Support community groups

Nonprofits receive an average of 350% more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.

8. Invest in the community

Local businesses are owned by people who live here, work here, and are more invested in the future of this community.

9. Put your taxes to better use

Local businesses in traditional shopping districts need comparatively less infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned chain store, which consume a disproportionate share of space, utillity and transportation infrastructure, and public resources.

10. Be a model for Ohio and the nation

In an increasingly homogenized and wasteful society, neighborhoods built around small-scale commercial districts and unique local businesses pose a more attractive and sustainable alternative to characterless sprawl--not only making for better quality of life, but freeing up resources for improved future growth.

*Check out national statisics and further information about the economic benefit of locals vs. chains at The Hometown Advantage, a project of NewRules.org