The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on small businesses. Nationwide, 21% of small businesses have permanently closed their doors since March. Many of the rest are struggling to get by. Meanwhile, corporate giants like Amazon and Walmart are thriving. It’s understandable that the convenience of online shopping and quick delivery has led to people shopping through these outlets during the pandemic. However, the value of shopping local – especially this holiday season – cannot be overlooked.
When you gift local, you’re helping a neighbor keep their dream alive and put food on the table for their family. It helps your friend keep their job, and puts money back into your community. According to the Retail Merchants Association, for every $1 spent at a local merchant, $.45 is reinvested locally, while only $.15 stays in the community from the same dollar spent at a big box store. Just imagine the powerful impact we could make in our communities if we modified our buying habits! It’s so much more meaningful than lining the pockets of billionaires.
In addition to helping our friends and neighbors, it’s greener to gift local! Shopping locally reduces the fuel necessary to acquire goods. Why buy products that travel thousands of miles, often even overseas, when we can find an artisan in our own community who can provide the same product, often of even better quality?
Where you put your dollars this holiday season matters. We have so much love for the Fort Collins community and hope we can band together this holiday season to show some local love.
To show our love for local vendors, we have created gift baskets with our favorite local and sustainable products! Come check them out next time you’re in! 
