Support a local business this Small Business Saturday - November 24, 2012

Consider spending some of your holiday dollars on Small Business Saturday. The reasons to support your local small businesses are good.

1. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 stays in the local economy, creating jobs and expanding the city’s tax base. For every $100 spent at a national chain or franchise store, only $14 remains in the community.

2. Local businesses provide most new jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in most communities provide the most new jobs to residents.

3. Local business owners invest in community: people who own local businesses live in the community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

4. Local businesses have less 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

In addition to the many local restaurants, boutiques, and service oriented business think of the smallest of the small businesses, the local craftsperson, as well. You’ll find them at your local holiday bazaar; sharing a corner space in a boutique shop [like Barbara’s in the Park LFP or The Shoreline/LFP Gallery at Town Center]; or selling through an online venue like Etsy.com [use the Shop Local search to find your local vendor]

________________________________________

Support a Local Crafts Person this Saturday.

Shoreline’s Michael Miller of Mr. Kitty’s Soap Shop. 

On Small Business Saturday Mr. Kitty will be selling at 

Lynnwood Royal Vendor Splendor Craft Show 

at 18218 N Rd, Bothell, WA 10am - 4pm.

Michael makes handcrafted shea butter soap, lotions, 

lip balms, and hand turned shaving kits in his Shoreline studio.