Back To School Shopping, The Local Way

It's that time of the year when parents and children are gearing up for a new school year... and that means shopping lists!  When shopping for your family's back to school needs this year, we suggest looking for independently owned local sources....Why?

• You sustain a local economy. Independents generate 70% MORE local economic activity per square foot than chain stores.  For every $100 spent at a chain, less than $40 circulates back through the community BUT For every $100 spent at a home town business, more than $65 circulates back through the community. When shopping online ZERO money stays in your community... not even sales tax dollars are returned to the state!
• You embrace what makes us unique! You wouldn’t want your house to look like everyone else’s in the U.S. So why would you want your community to look that way?
• You create local jobs . Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.
• You help the environment.  Buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation, less packaging, and products that you know are safe and well made, because we stand behind them.
• You nurture community. We know you, and you know us. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.
• You conserve your tax dollars.  Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong—right here in your community! 
• You created more choice.  We pick the items and products we sell based on what we know you like and want. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because we buy for our own individual market.
• You invest in entrepreneurship. Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business ensures a strong community.

How?  Here are some suggestions for typical back to school needs-

1) Clothes.  Why buy new when used is better?  Lancaster and York counties have a plethora of quality consignment shops that feature great cloths for children, like ssbn member Divine Consign

2) Supplies. So the chains may have easy buttons and wide aisles, but do they have the character and personality of a locally owned shop? Heck no!  For pens, paper, notebooks etc. we suggest shopping at a locally owned pharmacy.. your neighborhood drug store that has a little bit of everything! Like McElroy Pharmacy in Lititz, or one of the ten Royer Pharmacy  and Sloan Pharmacy shops throughout Lancaster County, and don't forget places like Stauffers of Kissell Hill have lots of school supplies too! Need to bulk up for the year? Can't go wrong with our favorite supplies supplier- GreenLine Paper Company!

3) Books.  There are three great locally owned bookshops that are ssbn members that are more than happy to help you track down that elusive book on the reading list- Aaron's Books, Dogstar Books, & Winding Way Books

And once the kids are on the bus, why not sit back, relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee or a sweet treat from an independent locally owned coffee shop or bakery!