This holiday shopping season, I have seen the phrase and concept “buy locally” appropriated. People are beginning to describe shopping at the Wal-Mart in town as a local choice, as opposed to buying from online businesses. Their rationale is that this helps the store’s employees — we know they are paid something for their labor — but ignores the larger effects that these stores have on communities. Of course, most of us can see through this immediately. Big box stores do not reflect anything about the unique character of an area and they consistently drive smaller, locally-born-and-raised shops out of business. At the same time, there are locally-owned businesses that exist only online right now, often because the cost of renting storefront space is prohibitive.
We have many options for shopping truly locally, without having to ever rationalize stepping into a Big Box store.
This week, Tianna Glass is publishing about black owned businesses. So far, she has written about a beauty shop and a photography/makeup studio.
For other local options, check out something published here back in October.
