Remember When: Buying Local, the Lost Art of the Personal Connection

Sitting in my living room on a balmy January day in New York I can tend to get nostalgic. If you are above a certain age you can probably remember all the local shops in your town and the surrounding area. Whether it was a small town, a suburb or a city, there was usually a hardware store, a deli, and a the local pharmacy. Maybe you were lucky enough to have some small boutique shops, a bookstore or a thrift shop. Each shop was owned by people that you and your parents got to know. They knew your name, would be helpful when you needed to purchase something, and maybe even let you have a tab that you could pay off at the end of the month. They were the staples that helped make up the neighborhood.

Then it all changed. We now live in a world of mass production, same day shipping and remote, impersonal shopping. What we gave up for fast, cheap (although not so cheap these days) and disposable was getting to know the person who owned that business, the uniqueness of buying a one of a kind, the anticipation of waiting two weeks, sometimes more, for that book you ordered from the bookstore that you just couldn't wait to read. We gave up quality in a lot of cases too.

I am not very hopeful that those days will ever return BUT there are still things we can do to help small businesses, and local artisans.

• Shop local- buy from the shops in your area, make the connection.
• Frequent craft fairs and farmers markets- there are so many talented people who have wonderful handmade items to sell, whether it be artwork, crafts, woodworking, soaps, creams, candles, jewelry etc. It is such a joy to speak with these artisans and crafters and learn about their products, take it from me they love to tell the story behind them! Buying fresh produce from a farmers market helps out local farmers and is most likely healthier for you.
• Let the organizers of craft fairs and farmers markets know how much you enjoy attending them. Maybe even suggest they have them more frequently to help out the local economy? 

It is a wonderful feeling when someone is truly happy with something they buy from you. The interpersonal connection you can make with the customer is priceless. That doesn't happen when purchases are made over the internet.

During this first month of the year, while you are sitting sipping your warm tea or coffee, please visit my Etsy shop for some one of a kind handmade soaps made with love and find out the story behind them. I am always available to answer questions and if you live locally please visit me at one of the many craft fairs that I attend throughout the year! I'd love to chat!

Gina 💗

Honey Bergamot Handmade Soap

 

Honey Castile Handmade Soap