Upstart Cornwall

Shop Local Cornwall … and SDG

There is a new marketing effort started by the City of Cornwall that aims to get people to shop locally more. On SeawayValley.com it is called “Why Shop Local First?” and features 10 ways that you can help the economy by shopping locally. I’ve seen the ads in other media in Cornwall as well.

Here’s the list of reasons to shop locally (from SeawayValley.com):

1. Significantly more money re-circulates in Cornwall when purchases are made at locally owned, businesses
2. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses
3. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character
4. Local business owners invest in community
5. Customer service is better
6. Competition and diversity leads to more choices
7. Reduced environmental impact
8. Public benefits far outweigh public costs.
9. Encourages investment in Cornwall
10. Non-profits receive greater support

You can see more details if you follow the link. I’m not sure I agree with #5 - but the list provides some very good reasons to shop locally.

First - let me start by writing that this is a very good thing. Congratulations to the City and the media outlets involved in promoting local shopping. I’ve never understood why this isn’t more of a focus of economic development. By shopping locally and following some very basic shopping habits we can have more of an impact on our economy than most other sources.
So what does it to mean to shop locally? We can see the benefits - but what does it to mean to actually shop locally? Which businesses qualify and which ones don’t? As a little resource - I’ve put together my own list of HOW you can shop locally more.

1. Shop at store’s that are not franchises:
Buying your school supplies, hockey gear, food, hardware and anything else at “mom and pop” stores and a significantly higher percentage of the money will stay in the area. Of course, not everything can be purchased this way - and it requires a bit more effort - but the economic benefit is huge.

2. Buy your groceries from local distributors:
As much as possible, make sure you buy products that are grown in Ontario. While it is difficult to tell which items were actually grown in SD&G - the more you look for the locally grown the better. Buy produce at the Farmers Market in Le Village in the summers. There are many local vendors there who sell everything from Fruits & vegetables to Honey. Hopefully they will keep it going next year. Our local economy is much more dependent on farmer’s in SD&G then we would believe. Helping them out will help us all out in the long run.

4. Shop at “local” franchises:
There are some excellent franchises that were started right here in Cornwall and area. Stores that would qualify include Billy K’s, Farm Boy, MacEwen’s, Benson’s, Urban Trade and many more. Many companies are also part of larger corporate chains but are 100% locally owned or close. Companies like Play It Again Sports, Rona, Corus Entertianment (Part of a public company - but is a local company in terms of economic impact on our economy), Don Cherry’s, East Side Mario’s, Ramada Inn, Best Western, Insurance Agents, Financial Planners etc.

5. Get your services from local companies:
Cornwall and SDG has a lot of talent and a lot of businesses that can compete with bigger markets if given the chance. If only the City of Cornwall followed suit.

6. Avoid Big Box Stores:
As much as we love the economic impact from Wal-Mart and Home Depot etc - these businesses buy their product out of town and their profits leave as well. Aside from the low-paying jobs created and the taxes paid - very little of the actual money spent at these stores stays here. Sure - you’ll save a few dollars, but most of the money spent leaves the area for good.

7. Shop in Town:
The best way to shop locally is to spend your money here. Montreal and Ottawa and Massena are totally separate economies and your money is simply leaving the area

8. Don’t buy online:
A lot of people now look online before they even look around town. It’s easier and quicker - but 100% of your money leaves the area. Unless you can’t find the product or service you need - try and shop here first, then turn to the Internet when you simply can’t find it.

9. Ask:
If you’re not sure who owns a company or where the store is headquartered - ask them. You’ll be surprised at how many businesses are actually owned by people who live out town. Once you know which ones are locally owned - focus on spending your money with those businesses.

These are just suggestions on how to help people shop locally and are by no means meant to serve as rules to follow. Each person has their own tastes and preferences so no two people will shop locally the same way or have the same desire to help the local economy. If you have your own suggestions - feel free to add them as a comment.

Also - does anyone else see the irony in the fact that the City of Cornwall is getting it marketing materials (and vehicle purchases, and …) done by a company in Ottawa yet promotes shopping locally? Some City Counsellors earlier this term suggested that the City should create a law that forces the City to shop locally and I’m all for it. I suggest you call your Counsellor if you like it too.

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 10th, 2008 at 3:17 pm and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Shop Local Cornwall … and SDG”

1. Michael Says:
   January 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm

   One of the biggest challenges for the “buy local” discussion tends to lean towards selection and price, two things that small business owners struggle to compete with when they are taxed the same as a large corporate giant such as Wal-Mart. Why not truly back up such a campaign by offering commercial property tax rebates for local “mom and pop” operations to encourage more start-ups and more competiveness. Or charge a higher property tax to outsiders taking their profits out of the community and reinvest into projects such as the multi pad sports complex (with a running track and indoor soccer field). Making small business more enticing for local residents could be a great long term strategy but it takes guts; we can’t keep looking for short term solutions because there aren’t any and it’s great to say shop local, but I agree that it must start at the top, with the City setting the example.

2. Kristoffer Howes Says:
   January 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

   I think that after experiencing the Cornwall Shopping Centre, you will see that it speaks directly to items 1 thru 9 on the list of HOW TO SHOP LOCALLY.

   The Cornwall Shopping Centre offers local merchants effortless expansion into the lively and profitable e-marketplace while consistently providing online consumers a safe and comfortable shopping experience.

   Within the 26+ categories and sub-categories, there are 200+ merchants showcased. Internet users are encouraged to “window shop” at their leisure by simply selecting the merchant ad buttons. When the new window opens, the thrifty online consumer is able to compare retailers and service providers- apples to apples and oranges to oranges, and make educated choices. This innovative opportunity allows visitors to peruse a number of prominent local businesses in search of the lowest prices and biggest deals.

   The Cornwall Shopping Centre slogan says it all…”No line ups. No busy stores. No problems parking- Just a comfortable shopping experience.”

   This website was developed to give local small-medium size business an online community where they could showcase their products and services, not only to local consumers, but ones from NY, Ottawa, Montreal and everywhere in-between. Consumers will not have to spend the day driving from store to store. As better shoppers, they will know where the best deals are and they will seek them out…LOCALLY.

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