#6 - Local, Independent Business

#6- Local Independent Businesses

   Those of us who love Asheville are fiercely protective of our local independent businesses.  We don’t want no stinkin’ chains taking over our downtown area!!  We have a very strong locally grown campaign that seems to be taking on a life of its own with posters, bumper stickers, buttons, T-shirts and events appearing all over town. It is impossible to move around without noticing the “Love Asheville – Buy Local” items everywhere. I proudly display a sticker on my own car!

Asheville Grown is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting the independently owned businesses in our community that make our town such a unique place to live and to visit. If there were only chain stores or franchises here it would be no different than so many other places you can visit. One example is Park Ave. in Winter Park Florida my old hometown. It used to be a quaint, unique area and is now an overpriced street filled with stores you can find in any mall. One reason Asheville is constantly listed on the top 10 places to live list is because of our unique small shops and businesses.

   What all this amounts to is the “local multiplier effect” where when you spend money at a local business it begins a cycle in which those businesses then spend their money at local shops and so on.  On the other hand, big chains tend to take local money and send it to corporate headquarters draining the local community of valuable resources.  A recent survey, “The Indie City Index 2011” found that Asheville has the lowest chain store saturation of any metro area in NC.  Compared to more than 360 metropolitan areas in the entire USA with populations far larger than ours we placed in the top 15 % in independent retail activity!

   And why would you need to shop at a chain when we have so many fabulous independents to choose from?  National Geographic Traveler recently did an article they called “The Perfect Summer Weekend” and they said that everywhere they went--local shops, restaurants, bars--the staff were friendly and helpful, but not overbearing. They concluded that tourism is Asheville's bread and butter, and said we know how to show visitors a good time.

   So, buy local. It is not a new concept but one that is not often practiced or understood in many places. Especially given the American mindset in which we're entitled to get whatever we want, from wherever we want, whenever we want. By supporting Asheville Grown Businesses, we are promoting a dynamic living economy as a way of life. So,  remember to Love Asheville – Buy Local!

"Local Independent Businesses recycle more money back into the local economy and give greater support to a community’s non-profit and civic needs. They are better positioned to respond to the special needs of the community and more tied to the community’s future."
Asheville Grown