Shop local first. Shop local frequently.

This Saturday, Nov. 29, is the annual Shop Small Saturday. Another reminder to shop local first and to shop local frequently. 

 It is so tempting to buy everything online. After all, it is delivered to your door or post office box. At the same time, we should consider buying the items from a local business when those items are available. Granted there may be some items that aren’t available here. On the items that are available, doesn’t it make sense to buy them from our small hometown businesses? 

In the case you can’t find something here, it is a good idea to ask the local business if they can order it in. The chamber does this often with Valley Hardware. If we don’t see it on the shelf, we ask Todd if he can get it in. Most of the time he can or can provide a similar item. 

Same thing with Basin’s market. On a recent trip to D.C., I was introduced to an amazing rice cake snack. I looked for it at stores throughout the Big Horn Basin to no avail. It was only available online. Brought it to Leslie Jones and she is going to try to carry it in Basin’s Market. 

Why is it important to shop locally and give our businesses a chance?   Because it is the local businesses that pay taxes to support our schools, towns and county. It is the local businesses that sponsor local events. It is our local business that donate items for fundraisers. It is our local business that bail us out when we need something last minute. 

Shopping local is giving back to those that give to our community.