This past winter, I spent the weekend in New Hampshire with my partner and her family celebrating the holidays. We went to a small local bakery owned by a member of her extended family to buy some desserts for the big holiday family dinner. They handed us one of those nice white bakery boxes tied with the red and white striped string… remember those? Then as we walked down a street filled with mostly locally owned small businesses and restaurants, art shops, antique stores and small boutiques on one of those streets that just makes you want to walk and daydream while window shopping, it started to snow. Big white fluffy flakes that made me feel like I was walking through a Norman Rockwell painting. Now, when was the last time you had that kind of a memory created walking through a strip shopping center or a mall?

As a small local artist, I can tell you that it’s tough sometimes to compete with the big box local retailers. It’s so easy to run to your local chain store for that gift or some accessory to wear with that new outfit. As a community we are in danger of losing our small local boutiques and restaurants, farmers and artists. These folks rely to a great extent on word of mouth advertising to promote their livelihood, as often their budget as a small independent artist and business does not allow for the high ticket price of TV, radio or even print advertising. Think about where our communities would be with just the big box stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Macys, etc. or if the only restaurants were chains… no quaint local restaurants with their own special ambiance or flair. Just imagine if the next time you are looking for that special gift or accessory there is nowhere to find that unique one-of-a-kind item… only pieces that will be purchased by thousands of others along with you.

As a consumer myself, I try to practice what I preach by shopping the local farm market, butcher and seafood supplier located at the Virginia Beach farmers market. I also try to dine at locally owned non-chain restaurants whenever I can. When I buy something at a local art show or see an artist whose work I like I collect their card and keep it in my rolodex or a file so that I can check out their website or where they are showing their wares locally in the future. Then when I need a gift I know I can call them or visit them online or at an upcoming show in the area. When I do go to an art show, I try to think of the gifts I know I have coming up to buy. As an artist, I try to make it as easy for others to purchase from me as possible. I take appointments in my home for those who need to buy a gift but can’t get to a show in time, or folks who want to match a piece up or custom order a piece for a special outfit. I maintain a website with extensive pictures and a soon to be introduced shopping cart. I participate in as many local and area shows as possible and maintain a mailing list to let those folks interested know where I will be and when.

By spending your money with the small business and artist you are helping to support the citizens of the community, getting fresher food and produce, giving those you care about gifts that say they are special and unique (even if that gift is a gift for yourself!) and ensuring that we still have those charming and unique places and people to visit and help us create the memories that last a lifetime.  It may take a little more effort and forethought, but in the end it’s worth it to have a more balanced, unique and interesting world of artists and small businesses, isn’t it?