Comments on: Q&A Tuesday: How Important are Mom-and-Pop Shops?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:32:12 +0000

There is a wonderful little shop a few blocks from our apartment that sells soap, perfume, lotion and gifts that are natural and safe, many of which are locally made or at least not made in China. They have a sign on their counter which says that on average, every dollar you spend in a locally owned business will be spent six more times in the local economy before it moves out into the larger economy. A bigger store based further away will usually only spend each dollar once locally. That to me was empowering. I can’t afford all my things local or handmade but I can choose to spend some locally- and make a big impact immediately! Not everyone can buy everything like this all the time, but being aware and making that choice when you can is the key. I work at a small business (well, locally owned anyway, but pretty big) and I know what it means to have customer support on this basis.
Sarah´s latest post: Haunting and horrifying

By: Melodie

Melodie — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:01:58 +0000

I bought almost all my Christmas presents for my kids and the women on my list from Etsy this year. It wasn't always local but the quality of the homemade"ness" was amazing! Melodie´s last blog post...Lactose Lobotamy? - Naomi Watts on Letterman

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:28:45 +0000

I love this blog. It's very helpful for everyday life even though I'm not a mom yet. I've nominated you for the Lemonade award. Come by and claim your award! Cathy´s last blog post...My first award!

By: Shylo

Shylo — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:36:25 +0000

In getting ready for our first born, our motto has been, “Buy less, buy better.” And for the most part, “buying better” means buying in a locally owned shop, thrift or new. Amanda from Kiddio is right when she says that it’s easy to buy cheap stuff. But since we don’t really need most stuff, it’s best to just save up for truly great items that benefit both your family and the community.

By: Minnesotamom

Minnesotamom — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:49:52 +0000

To me it is VERY important to support other mompreneurs and small business owners, because:
A) Part of what makes our country (currently) great is that anyone who wishes to (and has the funds) can start their own business
B) Their customer service often far exceeds that of larger businesses
C) I am a small business owner, and I want my own business to do well

Some ways I try to support this are:
A) Buy products from local, small businesses or from small online retailers
B) Tell others about great small business products on my blog
C) Give items bought at such stores as gifts and include a business card

Minnesotamom´s last blog post…Where the Heck is Arkansas, anyway?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:39:20 +0000

I first heard about this issue from my parents who are small business owners and manufacture wooden (some painted) educational toys. They took their first hit when so many toys from China were being recalled – - this issue could be the last straw for their business. They are a very small operation and will not have the resources to test their products. It seems absolutely ludicrous to me and it is unbelievable that an entire career spent producing the highest quality product (safe, sturdy, and beautiful!) will fall victim to someone else’s carelessness. Oops, sorry. I got on my soapbox and forgot to answer the question. I obviously think Mom and Pop shops are quite important.

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:20:53 +0000

It upsets me to pretty much be told that I am going to have to make my children play and were assembly line items. I have discovered in the last few years the wonderful world of handmade clothes and toys and since then I have actually seen my children PLAYING with thier toys. It saddens me that this may no longer be an option for us because the beautiful people who create thier things with love and care can’t afford the testing that big bussiness can.

By: tulip

tulip — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:24 +0000

Just got this from HSLDA (http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200902100.asp)….sounds like they’ve heard us and made some great, positive changes including:

1) An exemption for certain natural materials such as wood, cotton, wool, and certain metals and alloys that rarely contain lead;

2) An exemption for ordinary children’s books printed after 1985 and

3) An exemption for textiles, dyed or undyed (not including leather, vinyl, or PVC) and non-metallic thread and trim used in children’s apparel and other fabric products, such as baby blankets.

This is great news for all of us, sellers and buyers!

By: Krista

Krista — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:46:05 +0000

it's actually been hard for us to find a "mom and pop" shop, as in a retail store, in this area - so many local businesses are going out of business. we like to frequent local restaurants as opposed to national chain places. there is really something to a place where the owner recognizes you or your child when you are repeat customers, and it saddens me that more and more of these stores are going under. Krista´s last blog post...Some Inaugural Sweetness

By: Lucie @ Unconventional Origins

Lucie @ Unconventional Origins — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:13:46 +0000

This is so important!

I wish I could have realized the importance of mom and pops even earlier than I did, but I have in recent years changed my purchasing habits and I buy from them whenever I can.

Even things you think of only being able to get from stores like Target you can often find through smaller vendors. For example, my sweet as pie fiance just bought me a small recorder so I can get my ideas out of my head, and it has a USB port so I can put the recordings straight onto my computer (and back up files, and put songs on it, and everything!). And he got it from a mom and pop! (I’ll be back later with the link, it’s the cutest little shop).