We all know how good it feels to shop at our favorite DC stores and find the perfect item. What is less well-known is that the benefits of shopping local actually extend far beyond getting your item. Here are some rewarding reasons to shop local that you may not have known about.
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Keep your money local
When you shop at the local stores that you love, you are directly supporting your DC community. For each $100 you spend locally, $68 on average remain in DC, a significantly higher percentage than when spending at large companies. With each local purchase you make, you are shaping the city’s unique personality, from the one-of-a-kind boutiques in Georgetown to the old-school vibe of U-Street.
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Help create jobs
Small businesses are collectively the most important employer in the United States. In DC, small businesses account for over 98% of the total companies and provide jobs to roughly half of the population. We all have friends or family who work for small businesses, and your local purchases go a long way to support their livelihoods.
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Reduce environmental strain
Shopping local is also a great and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Unlike mass-produced products that have to travel thousands of miles across the world, locally sourced products don’t have to travel very far and result in a fraction of the pollution. This helps keep Rock Creek Park and the Potomac River looking beautiful and clean!
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Support nonprofits
When you spend money at a local business, your money doesn’t stop there. Local businesses are one of the most generous groups in the nation. Though it might not be as visible, nonprofits receive 250% more support from small businesses than large ones. Your favorite DC charities, libraries, and museums could not survive without these important contributions.
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Get the personal touch
Nothing beats the personal touch of a small business. From detailed product explanations to hand-wrapped packaging, local business owners regularly go the extra mile to make for a truly enjoyable shopping experience. Because they are personally invested in their products, they want to do everything they can to make sure their customers love the products as much as they do.
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Be unique
Shopping locally is the best way to find that one-of-a-kind item that you didn’t even know existed: from a green tea shampoo bar to a hat that shows your support for DC statehood. Shop from local DC stores today on Creek!