“What shopping local means to me is that I’m buying something from an independent local business. That money gets recirculated throughout our community when that business owner goes out to purchase something and then again in terms of the salaries. He pays his employees, who go out to other local businesses and it keeps circulating, keeps our economic ecosystem strong. I’ve been involved in Appleton for a long time now, a professional here for almost a decade. I’m on the board of Appleton Downtown Incorporated and I host “Fresh Take” on WHBY, a talk radio station here in Appleton. Shopping local plays a big part in having a thriving entertainment district like downtown Appleton. If we didn’t have local entrepreneurs willing to take a risk, start a business, put their all into that passion project of theirs, we wouldn’t have the beautiful destination that is downtown Appleton. If you care about the community, there are some studies that show that independent small business owners are highly charitable people. They donate to the community for various causes and if we can’t support each other then who can we support? The money that we’re spending in our local businesses is going right back into our local economy and that money is even used to support other nonprofits that are in this area. We wouldn’t be able to have things like Mile of Music or the Farmers Market. Those events are built on the sweat and the tears of entrepreneurs who are working hard every day to make downtown Appleton a great place. A beautiful riverfront and our beautiful downtown… it’s a great way to show that you care.”
