FLUSHING (WJRT) -
(11/26/12) - Shoppers across Mid-Michigan are inundated with ads to shop chain stores and online. But small retail owners say you might be happier if you give them a try.
Around the country, there's a growing movement by shoppers to spend more time and money in smaller shops and boutiques. During Small Business Saturday last weekend, retailers saw more customers coming through the door.
"All our hometown customers came in and definitely made a point to say we're here, we're here. We wouldn't forget about you," said Julie Kunc of Just Julie's store in Flushing.
"People have gone and bought all their electronics. So now they want to get the fun gifts," said Pat Stewart of Sullivan's Irish Alley in Flushing.
Economically speaking, small businesses are vital to local communities. The taxes they pay are extremely important.
"Owning a business and owning a building here in town, you pay taxes which go to the school and keeps the schools running," said Tony Abdella of Main Street Treasures in Flushing.
"When you spend $100 at a local, independently owned business, $68 of that comes back to the community in the form of taxes and payroll," said Angie Root of Baby Love store in Flushing.
Economics aside, small retailers say they can make your shopping experience more enjoyable.
"You get to know your customers, you get to know them as your neighbors, you become friends with them," Abdella said.
"They want to go someplace where the people know their name and they feel like they're making a difference in society because they are shopping local and small town and USA made," Kunc said.
Many smaller retailers participate in nationwide effort called the 3/50 project. They encourage shoppers to think about three independently owned business they'd miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello and buy a little something.
"These are your neighbors. These are people that live around you," Stewart said.
The 3/50 project says spending $50 a month in a small shop could have a big economic impact.
For more information on the 3/50 project, click here.
