Buy Local Sta. Monica

Why Buy Local

Buy Local key messages:

• With each purchase made close to home or work you make an investment in our local economy, save time, and reduce your carbon footprint.

• The City has 6,645 businesses employing over 80,000 people.

• It’s personal! Many are your friends and neighbors. They live in Santa Monica, employ others who live here, and reinvest their money here.

• Convenience. We’ve got much of what you need right here in Santa Monica (from apples to zippers, business services to household conveniences, etc). You probably don’t need to hop in your car and drive all over LA.

• Chances are we have it here. Think local first.

• Make a difference. By buying local, you’ve made a difference. Your patronage impacts the local economy, the viability of our town centers and the health of our local environment.

Top Eight Reasons to Buy Local

1. It keeps dollars in Santa Monica’s economy. For every $100 spent at a local business, $45 stays in the community. Spending locally ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested right here in Santa Monica.

2. It helps the environment. Buying local reduces your carbon footprint. Having a diverse range of businesses within walking or biking distance reduces the amount of driving you need to do, lessens traffic and air pollution and
   helps to conserve land.

3. It keeps and creates local jobs. Studies show that locally owned businesses create more jobs in the community and often provide better wages and benefits than national chains.

4. It helps to keep us unique. Santa Monica is a city of neighborhoods, each with a town center comprised of businesses that are diverse and distinctive.

5. It nurtures our community. Many of our local businesses are committed to investing in Santa Monica, donating to charitable causes, actively getting involved in the community and helping to support local events and festivals.

6. It creates more choice. Local businesses respond to their customers and have freedom to chose the items they sell. They often carry a wider array of unique products that are locally made or produced. If you don’t see what you want or need, ask!

7. It spurs entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of California’s economy.

8. It’s fun! Exploring Santa Monica, discovering what our 6,600+businesses have to offer, sharing advice on local gems, meeting your neighbors and new friends and getting exercise in the process….it’s part of what makes Santa Monica such a great place.

To find out more about the benefits of supporting local businesses, visit: http://www.livingeconomies.org/aboutus/resources-and-studies.