Author: Fundamental Advisory and Consulting, LLC
What is Main Street? It’s certainly more than just the name of a road, and even places that don’t have a place named Main Street seem to have one nevertheless. Just saying “Main Street” connotes a sense of place. It feels familiar to all of us, a part of our community that serves as a focal point and a destination that is never too far from home.
Ask someone to describe Main Street in more concrete terms, and they will talk about local retailers. In a vibrant local economy, these shops will serve as a focal point for economic activity. Meanwhile, the image of empty storefronts along Main Street immediately suggests that a community is slowly dying.
Why is the vitality of Main Street an indicator of the health of the local economy? It’s because small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy at both the national and local level.
According to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, two-thirds of net new jobs are created by small businesses, and wholesale and retail trade makes up the second largest industry represented by small businesses.[1] This means that when you’re supporting local retailers, you’re also supporting the engines of job creation. These jobs aren’t just numbers on a page – the people that these jobs go to are your friends and neighbors, or possibly members of your household.
Local retailers do more than just give people a reason to visit Main Street. As a part of your community, they can be counted on to help support everything from local cultural events to youth athletics. A vibrant and thriving Main Street is just as much an ingredient for a true sense of community as it is an outgrowth of it.
While Small Business Saturday has become a part of our culture alongside Black Friday and Cyber Monday, your support of small businesses doesn’t need to be limited to one day per year, or even one day a week. Every day represents an opportunity to support your local business community by giving them the opportunity to win your business.
Shopping by using your phone or computer may feel immediate, but is it really? After all, you have to wait for the item to be delivered, and what you receive may not be what you imagined. In comparison, local retailers may require a short journey, but you’re typically not left waiting for a delivery truck to arrive. You may also enjoy knowing that you’re contributing to building a healthy community and stronger local economy
Plus, it’s a good reason to stop staring at a screen and get out of the house.
This holiday shopping season, be part of the reason why the lights are shining bright on Main Street.