36 min
EPISODE 42: IMPACT OF LOCAL SHOPPING Neighboring Podcast
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- Society & Culture
The push to shop local has steadily increased over the past decade as we’ve recognized that culture drives the market. If our communities lack cultural institutions, who are we, really? Fort Wayne has been evolving and growing in culture as small business entrepreneurs launch their dream businesses that range from boutique plant stores, creative home goods, women clothing, and brilliant local restaurants and breweries. These places provide the goods and services we want while providing an opportunity to build a relationship with a neighbor that has the expertise you need or want to go along with your purchase. They are providing an opportunity for a culture to be built around their business model, which can’t be reproduced in an online environment. The internet will never be as excited about your new “Midwest is Best” hat as the buyer or creator in the store you purchased it in.
Good community development strategies begin with building the civic economy because the market always follows culture and people. Right now, this culture is being threatened and needs our market based activity now more than ever. Maybe, the premium of shopping local is what saves local. If we don’t support local now, it may not return for awhile. Certainly not in the same way, with the same people. However, I do believe its not only on us as consumers to save the local business network. It’s just as much on them to be investing in building community right now. Inviting us in, being transparent, and doubling down on their customer service efforts. In many ways, now is the time for local businesses to prove the value proposition of being a people-oriented businesses that they’ve been trying to get our attention with for the past decade.
The internet is a powerful tool that makes commerce a lot easier in many ways, but it has been disrupted at this time as well. In many ways, it is making it harder to get what we want in rather than easier. It’s been far easier for me to trade Facebook messages with the local hobby shop about RC car parts for my kids toys than it has been to shop online. Plus, I can get those parts the same day and gain some quick tips for repairs. YouTube tutorials only help so much.
This is not a direct conversation on the proposition of local business versus the internet or non-local food chains, but a conversation about how shopping local impacts the community as a whole. Kristin Giant breaks down the economics of shopping local while providing a few great stories of how she’s getting people involved in thinking differently about considering consumer decisions as investments. As you begin to expand your knowledge and worldview on this, it begins to make sense in a whole new way. Kristin brings a lot of energy and practical experience, and her voice is as important today for our local community as ever. We may not all be charitable, but we are all consumers. Incorporating as much “good” into your consumerism as possible is a great decision for local businesses.
It’s one thing to talk about ideas and another to hear whether it actually makes a difference. I couldn’t have this conversation without having a voice on the other side of this. Andrew Smith of Junk Ditch Brewing Company shares their story of how difficult this time is. With business being off about 60% at the time of this interview, it is hard not to be worried about the future. But beyond the economics, Andrew shares the personal impact on his staff from changes in operations, increased risk exposure, and what’s been most meaningful to everyone.
Crisis has the ability to bring people together in unique ways and I imagine we’re in for some stronger and more community minded businesses in the coming months. If you’re fortunate to get through this pandemic personally or as a business on a positive note, you are going to be thankful for those around you that helped you through this more than you ever thought possible.
Our co
The push to shop local has steadily increased over the past decade as we’ve recognized that culture drives the market. If our communities lack cultural institutions, who are we, really? Fort Wayne has been evolving and growing in culture as small business entrepreneurs launch their dream businesses that range from boutique plant stores, creative home goods, women clothing, and brilliant local restaurants and breweries. These places provide the goods and services we want while providing an opportunity to build a relationship with a neighbor that has the expertise you need or want to go along with your purchase. They are providing an opportunity for a culture to be built around their business model, which can’t be reproduced in an online environment. The internet will never be as excited about your new “Midwest is Best” hat as the buyer or creator in the store you purchased it in.
Good community development strategies begin with building the civic economy because the market always follows culture and people. Right now, this culture is being threatened and needs our market based activity now more than ever. Maybe, the premium of shopping local is what saves local. If we don’t support local now, it may not return for awhile. Certainly not in the same way, with the same people. However, I do believe its not only on us as consumers to save the local business network. It’s just as much on them to be investing in building community right now. Inviting us in, being transparent, and doubling down on their customer service efforts. In many ways, now is the time for local businesses to prove the value proposition of being a people-oriented businesses that they’ve been trying to get our attention with for the past decade.
The internet is a powerful tool that makes commerce a lot easier in many ways, but it has been disrupted at this time as well. In many ways, it is making it harder to get what we want in rather than easier. It’s been far easier for me to trade Facebook messages with the local hobby shop about RC car parts for my kids toys than it has been to shop online. Plus, I can get those parts the same day and gain some quick tips for repairs. YouTube tutorials only help so much.
This is not a direct conversation on the proposition of local business versus the internet or non-local food chains, but a conversation about how shopping local impacts the community as a whole. Kristin Giant breaks down the economics of shopping local while providing a few great stories of how she’s getting people involved in thinking differently about considering consumer decisions as investments. As you begin to expand your knowledge and worldview on this, it begins to make sense in a whole new way. Kristin brings a lot of energy and practical experience, and her voice is as important today for our local community as ever. We may not all be charitable, but we are all consumers. Incorporating as much “good” into your consumerism as possible is a great decision for local businesses.
It’s one thing to talk about ideas and another to hear whether it actually makes a difference. I couldn’t have this conversation without having a voice on the other side of this. Andrew Smith of Junk Ditch Brewing Company shares their story of how difficult this time is. With business being off about 60% at the time of this interview, it is hard not to be worried about the future. But beyond the economics, Andrew shares the personal impact on his staff from changes in operations, increased risk exposure, and what’s been most meaningful to everyone.
Crisis has the ability to bring people together in unique ways and I imagine we’re in for some stronger and more community minded businesses in the coming months. If you’re fortunate to get through this pandemic personally or as a business on a positive note, you are going to be thankful for those around you that helped you through this more than you ever thought possible.
Our co
36 min