Have yourself a very local Christmas!
On the heels of the annual Starlight Shopping event in our town of Elora, Ontario, I can't help but think about how lucky I am to have opened a shop in such a unique and vibrant community. Locals crowded the streets and shops to support the merchants, artists and dining establishments - it was a truly magical evening! The fact that many of the shops were handing out tasty treats and sips of some delicious 'beverages' of course added to the feel-good vibe.
With all the bustle of the holidays, it's great to see people choosing to support 'local' in a variety of ways. But when terms like 'local' become mainstream, the meaning becomes blurry and the term is used loosely with a wide range of interpretations. We can fall into supporting something because it claims to be local, without being aware of exactly how local that option really is.
At reFIND for instance, most of our goods are sourced and handmade locally, but a number of our products are not. Our DIY paint and stain products are imported from the US, some of our antique or vintage items were certainly not made in Canada and I even import handmade upcycled light bulb vases from Bulgaria, just because they're awesome.
So does this mean my shop isn't 'local'? Am I just as bad as the local big-box store that imports and sells offshore goods?
I think the wisest answer to the 'local' question is: It's Complicated.
There are many different interpretations as to what shopping local really means, and there are a variety of opinions as to what truly constitutes a local business. Once you start talking to people, you realize that it's difficult to pin-down the definition of a local business. Some people may say that local businesses must be owned by neighbours within the same town/city. Others will say that regionally-owned is OK. Franchises, even if they are locally headquartered don't make the 'local' list for many discerning shoppers. Then there are those who believe the positive impacts of shopping locally are diluted when local shop owners sell items that are produced offshore.
Let's step back to why it's important to shop local. When you shop at an independently-owned local business:
you keep more money in your local economy
you celebrate the uniqueness of your community
you support local jobs
you benefit from our expertise
you encourage community
you help the environment
you support entrepreneurship
you make your community a destination
So what's my opinion?
When it comes down to it, shopping local is a deeply personal decision. There are many good reasons for shopping local, but the first step is to determine why you think buying local is good and how it matches your values. I recognize that not every single thing I buy can be sourced locally. I have yet to find a 'Grown in Canada' banana! My goal is to try and buy something directly from the person who makes/grows the item, and then work my way outward from there. If it's not made or grown in my community, well how about in Ontario? Then Canada. Then elsewhere. Get it?
So my Chalk Paint. No, it's not made in Canada. But yes, I do use it to refinish perfectly good items out of our local waste system (help the environment - check!), use it to teach and inspire people to be creative (encourage community, expertise - check!), sell my own and consignors unique painted pieces to the public (local economy, local jobs - check, check!). You get where I'm headed here.
In addition, the majority of reFIND's vendors truly are local artisans. All of the soft items, from burlap and lace pillows to grain-sack wine bags are hand-sewn by a spunky elderly lady from Waterloo. Our line of Steampunk items are made by a gentleman in Elmira and even my neighbour! Handmade greeting cards - from a young corporate-drop-out like me from Guelph. Mittens from recycled sweaters - Guelph again! And of course, our hugely popular line of soap & accessories are from a badass lady from Brantford. And wait! There's me! From the booming metropolis of Fergus!
Enough said.
So my point is that you don't have to swear off all chain stores and non-local businesses or off-shore products this Christmas to make a real difference in your local economy. But do be an aware consumer when it comes to the origin of your products. Even a small change in your shopping habits can make a very positive impact in your community.
Cheers & have yourself a very local Christmas,
Mandy
