South Berwick is fortunate to have many locally owned independent businesses that provide goods and services to residents and that are good citizens. These businesses add to the tax base, employ people, and participate and contribute to community life. During this downturn in the economy, our local businesses are being tested and need our support. The 236 Diner is making this challenge to buy local to raise awareness about our local businesses and to encourage South Berwick residents to spend more of their money locally. Studies show that money spent locally is more likely to stay local. A thriving local economy is more likely to attract other businesses to locate here.
This is a call to South Berwick residents to CHALLENGE themselves to patronize locally owned businesses to meet all or some of the following objectives during the six week period between November 19, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
1. Buy at least one food product that is made or grown locally.
2. Shop at a local independent business that you have never been to before.
3. Eat out at least once at a local independent restaurant.
4. Get a take out meal from a local business.
5. Buy at least one holiday gift at a local independent business.
6. Give the gift of a gift certificate from a local business or service.
7. Buy at least one item made by a local artist or artisan.
8. Purchase at least one service from a local business (car repairs, salon service, massage, veterinary, tax preparation, etc.)
9. Take a friend out for coffee, tea, or a drink at a local independent business.
10. Attend at least one cultural event (lecture, concert, play, art show) that features local presenters or artists.
11. Attend one local recreational or sports event.
12. Report experiences and share finds on the 236 diner.
The Buy Local Challenge is completely voluntary. You set your own rules. You may decide that you will strive to meet all of the objectives on a daily basis, or select one objective you would like to meet per week.
How much are you willing to commit to buying local? It’s up to you.
Each week the 236 Diner will provide a place to discuss your experiences with the buy local challenge. You can share your discoveries and help others discover our local businesses.
on Nov 19th, 2008 at 11:57 am
First off, just to let folks know I changed my screen name. I was previously ‘fedupinsobe’. I am now under the name of whynot. Moving forward I did not want all posts that I make to fall under a screen name that reflected a negative attitude.
The buy local challenge is a great idea. We should support local businesses and artisans as much as we can. I already make a point of shopping local when ever possible, but I will try to do so more to see if I can meet the challenge.
on Nov 19th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Okay- so growing up I remember hearing my Dad say over and over “Put Your Money where your mouth is”. Now that I’m a local store owner I’ve been thinking about this and how there is so much meaning behind it that I never really thought about.
Running a business locally is not without its challenges…In a town of 7000- Are there enough people going to come through the door to be able to stay open? Will people drive from other communities to check us out. Well here’s the thing - no one told me to open the door in the first place. It was my idea, my inspiration-dream, and now my responsibility. I can’t sit back and wait for people to find out about us and discover that they should shop locally. I need to provide value, savings, and a fun experience to make it worth looking for a parking space or walking downtown.
My daughter taught me to put my ‘money where my mouth is’ after school she inevitable asks if we can go grab a Jone’s soda for her and her brother. It’s become more than my kids drinking sugar- its evolved into that special time when they know they are getting something out of the ordinary in their home town and she also has my undivided attention walking from school to the market. It is my daughter that get’s it…My 7 year old is teaching me as she asks to stop in to say to Abby. Abby gave her a flower one day out of the goodness of her heart and she kept it on her nightstand for over a week and was so proud.
So now in addition to buying a couple of Jone’s sodas we’ve added a single bud to our excursion.
I know that it’s only a few dollars but it’s having the doors open on our Main Street. It’s the experience of being able to be a part of our downtown and pass by people who probably will even say hello. So different from my childhood.
So I’m putting my money where my mouth is and taking up Molly’s challenge not because I own a business in town (it has its perks) but because I want to continue to have these experiences with my children so that they will have them with theirs.
P.S. - thank you for buying hats made in South Berwick!
on Nov 20th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I was out running some errands yesterday. I started with filling my gas grill propane tank at Gagnon’s. I then went across the street to pick up some flowers at Abby’s for my wife. My next stop was back over to Bob’s trophy to pick up something I had ordered. While I was downtown anyway, I decided to grab some milk over at Natures Way (love that chocolate milk in the old fashioned glass bottles). While walking over to Natures Way, I noticed there seems to be some activity in the store front that used to be Jass Fitness. No one seemed to know what business is coming in there yet (anyone know?)
I had an interesting discussion with one of the local business owners regarding the parking situation downtown. We both agreed that unless you are in need of handicap parking, there really does not seem to be a parking ’situation’ downtown. I have always been able to find a spot somewhere between the post office and central school. I am perfectly able to walk the short distance that is our downtown.
Ultimately my point is whynot support these locally owned small businesses.
on Nov 20th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
A bakery and breakfast/lunch place is coming to the old Jass Fitness place. That’s a great addition to downtown. We haven’t had one for a year or two.
on Nov 20th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Awesome!
Interested folks can fulfill #1 this weekend in Dover, where we’re having a Holiday Farmers’ Market at McIntosh Atlantic Culinary School from 9am-2pm - 40 farmers and food producers selling directly to the public. You’d be amazed at the vegetables available! Even fresh salad greens!
http://www.seacoasteatlocal.org/holidaymarkets
on Nov 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
We went to the Farmer’s Market last year at McIntosh shortly before Christmas. It was amazing-fresh local cheeses, meats, pastries, honey and more. If you go, take your own bags for carrying things, and go EARLY-parking is a zoo.
on Dec 2nd, 2008 at 7:53 am
thank you Molly for this buy local challenge.
I have been trying to buy local for a long time. When the little hat company opened three years ago my nephew was just born so I was able to buy Christmas gifts for him and now have another one so I will be back again. I have been buying flowers from Abby since she opened ( I found out what a nice person and a great store she has when I asked her for a donation to the Great Works Regional Land Trust auction) I am in Nature’s Way every week sometimes 2 or 3 times, if I need a perscription or bandaids I go to the pharmacy (fortunately that is very infrequent) I get into SoBo as often as I can, get coffee from The Catered Event, occasionally get Chinese food take out, eat out at Pepperand and Spring Hill. I could go on with businesses that I visit but you get the message, don’t mean to forget anyone, The best part of these businesses is their generosity, whenever I ask for a donation, I asked for the Keep So Berwick Warm supper, and I ask every year for the land trust auction, they give whith out question and with enthusiam.
I also went to the farmers market last year and loved it and I will go again.