Semi-regular reminder that shifting ANY of your spending away from Amazon/Walmart to a locally owned store is significant. Don't be discouraged if you had to go there for something. Do what you can & know that it counts.
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I had to buy something on Amazon last night because a friend had a wishlist there for a kid she’s fostering. I wasn’t gonna let the perfect be the enemy of the good. (I also had to log into Facebook to get the link, so it was a great moment for my ethics. 🤣)
If you want to dig into the data behind this follow @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social & check out The Institute for Local Self-Reliance. (And then if you're really feeling it, bring that data to your city council.)
And to be clear, I shop small and local to me means anything that isn’t Big Chain so if I’m in NoLa, I’m buying books at Faulkner’s in Pirate Alley, if I’m in RVA, I’m shopping at Fountain Books. Here in Montclair, I’m spoiled for riches!
If you’re looking for some awesome indie stores who will ship, check out Watchung Booksellers, Vesta Chocolate, Dolly Moo, Benovia Wine, Lynmar Vineyards, Giftbar Montclair, and Pumpkinseeds in Lexington, VA. These are my Go To places.
Also Bluestockings NYC, More Than Words (used books store in Boston) are very involved in their local communities and also ship across the US! Also seconding Watchung Booksellers!
I really appreciate this reminder! I have been trying to wean myself off of Amazon but living in an area where popping out to the stores isn’t a thing I sometimes backslide. But have done nearly all my holiday shopping from other, when possible smaller, stores.
A rule of mine is if I need any Christmas decorations, I now look at my locally owned thrift stores instead of the big-box dollar store. There is so much variety of good quality decorations that you can find there! Sometimes you can even find brand new light sets at thrift shops or surplus stores!
I stopped at a little store in South San Francisco to get some yarn yesterday and the old couple running it introduced me to the cute little feral kitty they feed out front, gave me a mystery gift with my purchase, AND gave me a little candy right before I left!
Great reminder! I was in a Walmart back in 1989, on my honeymoon... I almost walked away with a box of puppies. Don't even remember what I went in there for.
Thank you for this. I had to use Amazon for Christmas window clings (since even the craft store didn't carry them) and was feeling bad about it. Appreciate the pep talk.
And use cash if you can! Keeps stores from having to pay transaction fees to random card companies. This is why stores often have card minimums. Those fees raise prices and siphon money out of your community a few cents at a time but it adds up fast!
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