Buying Local

An issue engulfing our country on varying levels right now is the influx of huge companies/chains into cities and towns across America. Obviously, there is one retailer than gains the majority of the attention when it comes to this topic, but there are a ton of local businesses that end up suffering as a result.

Here in Tampa, the local group trying to counteract this problem is the Tampa Independent Business Alliance (TIBA). To quote their website, they define themselves as "a cooperative effort by local, independent businesses to nurture and promote Tampa's diverse local independent businesses that meet unique needs, create and define our community's culture, and provide stability, accountability, and direct local investment. TIBA's focus includes raising consciousness of our contributions to the area's cultural landscape and economy - with each other, with our community leaders and institutions, and with our customers and clients."

I've always felt compelled to eat/buy and get any other services local versus with a chain. Some aspects can be pretty challenging, and others not so much. The Bay Area is one that is sprawling and filled with mom and pop restaurants. Why not drop in to one of these places and skip the well-known fast food lines or sit down chain restaurants you see commercials for every two minutes on TV? This is not as hard as people make it out to be. You'll live without the Big Mac or played-out All You Can Eat Shrimp.

On the other hand, people might complain about the accessibility of a grocery store that would fall into this category. Sure, Publix is a mega company, but they're employee owned and locally operated out of Lakeland, FL. Additionally, they're a consistent top finisher on Forbes list of top companies to work for. I come from an area of Upstate New York where a similar company, Wegman's, has managed to create one of the best brand images in America. Their loyal and cult-like customer following has also made them a regular in the Forbes Top 5. If a company is doing things the right way like these two are, it's not such a bad thing giving them your business. After all, they also pump all sorts of funds into local communities and give the impression a lot of times that the operate on a much smaller scale than other giant retailers.

Long story short, next time you are headed out to spend some of your hard earned moolah, ask yourself if there is a local establishment that would be more deserving than a company driven by high-powered, over-compensated, boardroom suits.