I think I'm probably slightly ahead of the "green" curve, and in an effort to reduce my impact on the environment, I try to shop locally whenever I can, but even I have my limits.
Yesterday I (stupidly) bribed my 4-year-old with a specific car from the Cars movie. He performed like a champion and now I'm on the hunt. By the time the preschool bell rings, I must locate and purchase Doc Hudson with blinking eyes.
Easy! Sure! Three local toy stores later, (One clerk said with a wink, "Good luck with that!") I'm headed for the big box stores. I wish I lived on Sesame Street and I could walk down the street to Mr. Hooper's store and get everything I needed, from TP to toys, but it just doesn't work that way.
Our local toy stores are wonderful but they're small. If you're looking for something specific (like Doc Hudson with the blinking eyes) you're often out of luck. And their hours are funky. They are open one evening a week, closed on Mondays, and it's hit or miss when Guy Fawkes Day rolls around or one of the employees is getting married.
So exactly how dedicated am I to supporting local, family-run businesses? Is it worth the hassle of hauling two kids in and out of car seats three times and zigzagging across town before I find what I'm looking for? I guess I get karmic credit for starting there first, and I'll have to live with myself for driving 12 miles (one way) to the giant toy store to make a little boy happy. Next time we need something, we'll try to plan ahead so we can patronize the local toy shop.
The child did, after all, put ALL his toys away so I could vacuum.
How dedicated are you to shopping locally?
I usually call the local shops before I head out to see if they have what we want/need/must have.
I try but the reality is they don’t always have what i want and they’re more expensive. I just usually give up and go to Target…
It is so vital today that every effort be made to support the local shops. It IS cheaper when you consider the gas, the support that shop gives to the local community and the value to having busineses run by the real economy boosters. Think, before you support the chains. And when you need that gift donated for your son’s cub scout fundraiser, think who is really supporting his troop.
Unfortunately, there are no local shops within 30 mins. of me. We only have Kohl’s and Walmart. I’m in a pretty rural area, but I would definitely try to shop local if the opportunity were there.