Published in the November 27, 2013 issue of Morgan Hill Life
With Black Friday’s shopping extravaganza opening the holiday season this week, we at Morgan Hill Life would like to remind gift-givers that they can give back to our city by spending their money with local businesses and merchants. Saturday Nov. 30 is designated as Small Business Saturday, urging residents to shop local and buy local for Christmas and Hanukkah. It’s a wonderful and easy way to strengthen our community and our economy.
Every dollar that’s spent at independent businesses in Morgan Hill returns three times more money to our city’s local economy than a dollar spent at a chain store or mall shop. According to the American Independent Business Alliance, compared to big businesses and corporations, small businesses donate more than twice as much for every sales dollar they earn to local nonprofit organizations and events.
Shopping local also creates jobs and business opportunities in our local community. Independent businesses employ local residents. They are also the customers of local service providers such as accountants, wholesalers, printers, and lawyers, in the process generating more revenue for the local economy.
Local independent businesses know their customers well and are thus able to target their product choices specifically to a region. They can also provide a greater overall selection of goods and products. Shopping at local businesses also helps lower taxes because it makes more efficient use of our local land resources and puts less demand on our sewers, roads and public safety services. Buying locally also generates more tax revenue for every sales dollar spent, thus adding to the quality of life for our community.
Shopping locally helps build our community. The friendly encounters shoppers enjoy at our local shops and businesses helps to generate stronger relationships and overall quality of life here. Staying in town and shopping at local stores or eating at local restaurants is a great way to develop a social network. It also helps to shape the character of our community, adding to the unique personality of the Morgan Hill region.
Shopping local is also good for the environment. The smaller, local businesses use less land, and create less traffic and air pollution. It also saves on transportation energy costs to shop locally instead of traveling to the crowded malls and shopping centers in San Jose and other cities north of Morgan Hill. Shopping locally is also a far more relaxing experience for the family.
There are many uniquely local shops in Morgan Hill we can recommend a visit to during the winter holiday season. BookSmart in downtown Morgan Hill contains a wide selection of toys, craft items, and gift books for all ages. Thinker Toys provides a fine array of hard-to-find games and toys that kids will love getting. Downtown Morgan Hill offers a selection of locally-owned boutique shops that sell clothes and other items. The Candy Parlour downtown is a great place to stock up on stocking stuffers of unique sweets. Consider local consumables in your gift-giving endeavors. Our wineries offer award-winning bottles of vino. And many of our restaurants provide gift certificates redeemable for meals.
Why face the traffic and crowds by going out of town for your holiday shopping? You’ll find it a far more rewarding experience to buy your gifts for family and friends in the place we call home.
