https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:16:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-201082 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:09:57 +0000 meaganceleste 201082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to shop locally whenever possible, but Amazon is too easy!</p> <p>We try to buy local produce and foodstuffs, but for other things, its hard to justify an additional cost if I can get it cheaper online. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200948 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:06:28 +0000 HabesBabe 200948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Restaurants, yes... other businesses, not so much. I'm cheap :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200886 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:18:26 +0000 mrs. wagon 200886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love to support local restaurants... it's a delicious and wonderful thing to do! :) </p> <p>And we do try to support local businesses, especially in our town center because a big outdoor mall sprang up in town and our center is definitely suffering. There is an adorable kids book store and we buy stuff every time we're there, even though it's always a few bucks more than on amazon or wherever... we figure a few bucks is worth it to keep a cute local place going. Plus the customer service is always so great... we don't want those super nice people to lose their jobs or their stores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200881 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:15:37 +0000 chibee 200881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do, because my husband IS a local business owner. His family owns an appliance store in town that has been in business since 1942 starting with his grandfather (back then they sold tires), so we try to support others whenever we can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200867 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:00:59 +0000 LuLu Mom 200867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, we try to use local whenever it is possible, however sometimes the bank account makes the call for us. I would love to use them all the time,but financially speaking we just can't do it. When we move to a smaller town again, I will for sure stick to teh small town shops instead of going to the bigger chain stores. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200811 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 07:56:59 +0000 emcoco 200811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For many things yes - for gifts I always shop at local boutiques, try to go to non-chain restaurants as often as possible, shop for veggies at the farmer's market, etc. But for big-ticket items (like a new tv), I have no problem going to Target or Amazon (I also don't know of a local non-chain store to get something like that anyway). Our local hardware store was just bought out by a major chain which is a total bummer - we are constantly in renovations so we spent a lot of time and money there (plus their tool rentals were actually cheaper than Home Depot and Lowe's).</p> <p>I always try to encourage my clients to register (I'm a wedidng/event planner) at at least one of the local shops for a few items - it supports the local economy and you'll find unique things there that you can't get at Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, etc. There are a few independent shops I know of that also have baby registries, so I will definitely be checking them out once I ever get pregnant! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200676 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:36:38 +0000 cyneswith 200676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get most fruits and veggies from roadside stalls - a family runs one just around the corner from us, and they are the cutest couple. I get broadcloth from a local lady (she barely breaks even, and anything extra goes to her grandson.) We like trying new things, so we go to a lot of local restaurants (Polka Dot Pig was one of our best local finds. Boll Weevil if we want cake, though their other menu is very interesting - tomato apple soup? Turkey-and-spinach-dip sandwich? Along with rib-eye in a raspberry demi-glace?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200569 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 17:13:08 +0000 mrsjyw 200569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, I go to local farmer's grocers, local diners (best food ever!), and local hardware stores.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200517 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 14:21:02 +0000 smith 200517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@andrea, We are the same way! Local hardware stores &amp; restaurants FTW :) Would be nice to be able to consistently afford other local businesses, but I have a really hard time justifying the extra (large) expense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200457 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:38:51 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 200457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our favorite restaurants are locally owned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200449 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:12:39 +0000 SugarplumsMom 200449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live near an old cider house that makes wonderful ciders, juices and jams all grown organically and locally. It's a little pricey compared to the normal stuff, but so very worth it. But aside from that, the local pizzeria, the closest grocer, and a cafe that serves Asian food, and a few other small food stores, we don't buy much of anything else locally. But it's mainly because of selection. Well, there is a hardware store that we're guilty of neglecting but there really isn't much else in our little town. </p> <p>For baby gear, I've bought things online almost exclusively. Not only was it cheaper, but 98% of the stuff I couldn't find here. I kind of wish I was able to buy furniture online without ridiculous shipping fees (for the few places that do). Lack of selection has definitely been a struggle for me, but I suppose it's normal when you live in a sparsely populated country. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200435 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 10:44:45 +0000 stargal 200435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>never realized it but ya we actaully do alot. we use a small family pharmacy and eat at a lot of local family owned restaurants. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200432 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 10:33:42 +0000 yoursilverlining 200432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do. We don't eat at chain restaurants, and do most of our shopping locally. Honestly, the price difference isn't that huge for most items. We bought all our major baby stuff at a family owned, small baby boutique and the BOB infant carrier adapter was $5 CHEAPER at that shop than on Amazon. All the other items were basically the exact same price as on Amazon/online. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200429 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 10:30:30 +0000 MrsH 200429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We buy locally where possible and where not insanely overpriced. We support local growers/farms and restaurants weekly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200411 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:58:51 +0000 Sweet T 200411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We support local restaurants all the time. The majority of the stores around here are franchises and big chains. When we're in our hometown, we shop locally a lot more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200388 Sun, 24 Jun 2012 09:22:52 +0000 sslm 200388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We try to, especially restaurants and coffee shops. It's hard because we're on a budget, and local shops seem to be more expensive than large chains. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200290 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 21:53:33 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 200290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do, unless it's a big purchase with a big difference. I'm willing to spend $10 more, but not $100. Also, it's a small town, so shopping really limited. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200278 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 21:09:42 +0000 Cole 200278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like others, we try to support local whenever feasible. We do a lot of local foods and gifts, as well as local restaurants. It is important to us to keep our local downtown area well filled with shops and restaurants so we do our best to support them. Sometimes though it is just cheaper to go to home depot... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200180 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:09:03 +0000 Andrea 200180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We support the local restaurants and hardware store mainly. For other things, it's hard to support local since the prices are so much higher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200175 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 16:59:07 +0000 DillonLion 200175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yea, I definitely try to do this. But the area I live in is 99% chain stores and restaurants....seriously. so it's very challenging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200034 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 10:27:23 +0000 chopsuey 200034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do. But we don't have too many small businesses in our area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200031 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 10:23:21 +0000 Mrs. Pen 200031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Price is the biggest contender for me. If I know I can get it cheaper on amazon, I will. I wish I could afford more local stuff more often, but I can't.</p> <p>We do support a lot of local eating places. My town is full of them - there is this super awesome bakery that makes amazing, delicious breads. We've gone there a few times. They make deli sandwiches and espresso as well. I do wish they made the inside cuter though, it's kind of a place you go in and leave because there's nowhere to sit.<br /> Then upstairs is a pizzeria owned by the same people and they have delicious authentic firestone pizza. It's soo good. Even DH approves and he's a New Yorker!</p> <p>We also bank with a local bank.</p> <p>However, the rest of things - grocery, clothing etc there isn't much for local so we have to buy chain/internet. I do love supporting local businesses though. I actually had a baby registry at a local store! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200009 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:49:11 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 200009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Part of our problem here is the accessibility of our local stores. For example, today our swamp cooler motor went out (big sad) and we tried to buy local, but all the local suppliers are closed today... so we have to go to a big box (another sad) to get one, because it's slated to be 95 degrees today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200005 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:38:46 +0000 looch 200005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to, but the prices are so outrageous that it's difficult to justify. So many people do what's called "border shopping." It's ridiculous to think that products made locally are sold in other countries and they're cheaper if you buy them there, even when you factor in gas and travel time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-200004 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:37:05 +0000 autumnlove 200004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need to more. I don't want local places to go out of business...</p> <p>I use my Amazon app to price check...if it is only a few dollars less I will just buy the product at the local shop. If it is $5 or more, I will buy from Amazon...usually on my mobile app right on the spot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-support-businesses-in-the-local-community#post-199999 Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:25:38 +0000 mrbee 199999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bought a bar stool the other day from the store across the street. What made me stop and think is that my first thought was to buy it on Amazon! But their bar stool selection didn't match what I was thinking, so I then thought to try our local businesses.</p> <p>We use a whole lot of local businesses: local pet store, deli, pharmacy, hardware store, etc. But it's tough when the price premium is so high! But we've been working to support more local businesses, as we both think it's really important.</p> <p>Still, it's hard. And Amazon just keeps expanding into new verticals...</p> <p>Do you support businesses in the local community? </p>