Two of the beauties of Laramie are the community connectedness and the welcoming neighborly feel. I believe that this sense of togetherness is due in part to the variety of family-owned and local businesses. The city is filled with hidden gems and shops beloved by all.
With the wonderful summer warmth upon us, activities throughout the city are on the rise. It’s exciting to see downtown Laramie truly come to life during these sunny months.
With that being said, the myriad of local businesses throughout Laramie are sure to make it easy to turn away from bigger corporations this summer – and maybe even year-long.
So, why is it important to shop local? For starters, shopping local increases the amount of money that cycles through local economies, which is especially beneficial to smaller cities such as Laramie.
According to Sustainable Connections, a non-profit organization based out of Washington, “for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 recirculates and remains in our local economy. Only $43 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain.”
By purchasing from a small-scale business rather than a large corporation, you are essentially giving back to your community.
Along with this, local businesses increase financial equality. According to co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Stacy Mitchell, who examined studies on the benefits of small-scale businesses, “the increasing size of corporations is driving inequality, while local and dispersed business ownership strengthens the middle class.”
Mitchell also discussed findings on the impact that small businesses have on the wellbeing of the community. “These studies find that a community’s level of social capital, civic engagement, and well-being is positively related to the share of its economy held by local businesses, while the presence of mega-retailers like Walmart undermines social capital and civic participation,” she wrote.
In general, shopping local has a positive outcome for the surrounding community and its members.
As I mentioned before, the possibilities for buying local in Laramie are practically endless. If you are new to the town, make sure to check out as many small businesses as you can. I ensure you will find quality product and receive a warm welcome!
Locally owned businesses are a staple within communities like Laramie and supporting them is a great way to give back. You might come to find that shopping local instead of buying from large corporations will make your summer even more enjoyable.
I encourage readers who are interested in this topic to check out the Sustainable Connections website and read Stacy Mitchell’s full article, both linked below.
