10 reasons to Shop Local in Malahide, Dublin
"Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It Means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependant on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs." - Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local.
Malahide needs you, we cannot take our shops and businesses for granted. Malahide really has it all, covering every base of our consumer needs but while we are a prosperous little town, a lot of businesses are struggling. Nobody is immune to the economic pressures currently gripping the country. Can you imagine what would happen if they all started to disapear. Now more than ever we have to be committed to shop local, we can't just assume others will do it for us, and our businesses will survive. After all, a bustling village makes for a better village. Below we have outlined 10 reasons why shopping local makes our life better for all of us.
1. Local Economic Stimulus.
When you buy from a business based in Malahide instead of those in the City Centre or in Shopping Malls, the money you spend is more likely to stay in the locality, because local businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses in Malahide as well. Most of the staff working in Malahide generally live in the community too, this means' that by choosing to do your shopping here you maintain their jobs, and these staff are more likely to spend, rent etc in our local community. We all know many friends, neighbours, local kids, school mates working in shops, restaurants and other businesses malahide. In this case money really makes the community go round!
2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.
Owners of locally based businesses generally donate more to local charities than non-local owners, plus they are more likely to sport community initiatives and local sports clubs and other social organisations.
3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity
The unique character of Malahide is defined in large part by the business that operate here, and that plays a big factor in our overall satisfaction with where we live, this also helps with the value of our home's/property.
4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.
Our local businesses are all located within walking distance of each other, and mainly focused around the Village centre, providing a centralised variety that is much friendlier to a community's carbon footprint than out of town shopping malls. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution. Plus while often overlooked, walking is fun!
5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.
Small local businesses are the largest employers in Ireland. Plus the more jobs you have in Malahide the less people are going to have to commute which means more time and less traffic and pollution.
6. Customer Service Is Better.
Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. You are also going to see these people around town so you will tend to build a familiarity, a sense of community.
7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.
Local Malahide businesses are often owned by people who live in the community, and they are less likely to leave, so they are more invested in the community's welfare and future.
8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs.
Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.
9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices.
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. This leads to unique little stores that put their own personality into their business and appearance.
10. You Matter More
We talk a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or "voting with your wallet." It's a fact that business respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to you local community business than the large big box stores.