On the surface it may seem annoying to have to get in your car and travel across parish lines to get to the nearest Wal-Mart or other chain retailer. But if you really follow those dollars out to Jefferson Parish and up to Bentonville, AR, you?’ll see an erosion of our local businesses, our tax base and our urban way of life. Before you embrace a Wal-Mart in uptown New Orleans, you should ask yourself two questions: Why do you live in New Orleans? What is it that you love about our neighborhoods?
Economic Man believes that buying retail goods at the lowest possible price is an inalienable right, and if local enterprises are crushed by the competition, then by the laws of Darwinism, so be it. Community Man sees it differently. Local merchants may charge a bit more but they have roots in the community and a vested interest in its overall health. Supporting local business is a value.
Local businesses have local flavor. Have you ever had that d?©j? vu feeling in another city, on a highway, or in an airport that you have seen that landscape before? The ubiquitous nature we see more and more is not as apparent in New Orleans, at least not yet. It?’s no wonder that the New York Times recently did a feature story on Magazine Street for their Travel and Leisure section. The Times article responded to the fact that Magazine Street has soul: that fabulous, organic mix of antique shops, restaurants, boutiques AND those connective businesses that support the neighborhood buying needs (hardware, grocery, pharmacy, florist, deli, bakery, photo, vision center, tire and car service, hair salon, gift shops- exactly what a 200,000 sq. ft. Super Wal-Mart cannibalizes). It is not only part of our economy as a tourist destination, but it is why we find it so charming and convenient to live here. If you destroy that healthy mix, you have lost something that makes the neighborhoods work for the natives. There is every reason to maintain the health of local business and strike a blow against ugly conformity.
We can do our part to maintain the individuality and charm of our local business by supporting them with pride and enlightened purchasing habits. Recognize the FULL cost of your purchasing power. Patronize stores owned by friends and neighbors. If their stock does not include what you want, ask them to place an order. Most shops are happy to serve their customers. The price may seem higher, but you are really buying a better community in which to live. Put your money where your house is.
Della Graham
The inspiration for some of my sentiments and words were found in an insightful article called ?“Buy Local?” by Steve Berg, Chronicles, August 2002. Email me at della-rue@cox.net if you would like me to send you a copy.
By Della Graham
Economic Man believes that buying retail goods at the lowest possible price is an inalienable right, and if local enterprises are crushed by the competition, then by the laws of Darwinism, so be it. Community Man sees it differently. Local merchants may charge a bit more but they have roots in the community and a vested interest in its overall health. Supporting local business is a value.
Local businesses have local flavor. Have you ever had that d?©j? vu feeling in another city, on a highway, or in an airport that you have seen that landscape before? The ubiquitous nature we see more and more is not as apparent in New Orleans, at least not yet. It?’s no wonder that the New York Times recently did a feature story on Magazine Street for their Travel and Leisure section. The Times article responded to the fact that Magazine Street has soul: that fabulous, organic mix of antique shops, restaurants, boutiques AND those connective businesses that support the neighborhood buying needs (hardware, grocery, pharmacy, florist, deli, bakery, photo, vision center, tire and car service, hair salon, gift shops- exactly what a 200,000 sq. ft. Super Wal-Mart cannibalizes). It is not only part of our economy as a tourist destination, but it is why we find it so charming and convenient to live here. If you destroy that healthy mix, you have lost something that makes the neighborhoods work for the natives. There is every reason to maintain the health of local business and strike a blow against ugly conformity.
We can do our part to maintain the individuality and charm of our local business by supporting them with pride and enlightened purchasing habits. Recognize the FULL cost of your purchasing power. Patronize stores owned by friends and neighbors. If their stock does not include what you want, ask them to place an order. Most shops are happy to serve their customers. The price may seem higher, but you are really buying a better community in which to live. Put your money where your house is.
Della Graham
The inspiration for some of my sentiments and words were found in an insightful article called ?“Buy Local?” by Steve Berg, Chronicles, August 2002. Email me at della-rue@cox.net if you would like me to send you a copy.
By Della Graham
