Shop Local. Shop LivCo.

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is

Every time you shop with a local downtown business, you are putting your money back into your community. You are not just investing in the business, you are investing in yourself. You are helping your neighbors keep their jobs and may even be helping to create new jobs. Supporting small businesses downtown also means supporting special events and downtown festivals. When you visit and support LivCo’s downtowns, you breathe life into the area. A buzzing downtown attracts festivals and events which in turn brings public art and drives streetscape improvements. A win for everyone!

When you support a local business, you are supporting your town, city, and neighborhood. And shopping local all year round is essential. Supporting small businesses is an intentional act — one that the mom-and-pop shops in your neighborhood desperately need you to make. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, when you spend $100 at a small business, $48 stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a big-box store or national retailer and only $14 stays. Why? Because local businesses rely on other local businesses.

Support Local this Holiday Season:

Get vocal on social. Post pictures, tweets, and status updates of either the small business you own, or of yourself shopping at one, and be sure to use the hashtag #ShopSmall. Also, write positive Yelp reviews for the small businesses you love and support.

Sign up for local businesses’ loyalty programs. Does a local business have a customer loyalty and rewards program? Sign up for it – not only will you be supporting a local business, but you’ll get discounts and rewards for it, too.

Commit to doing one small thing for a favored small business each week, whether a purchase or a shout-out. Supporting small businesses each week will not only give you peace of mind but will be helping the owners and the economy.

Buy gift cards. You may not use the gift cards right away, but the revenue from these sales is a huge help to small businesses at this critical time. And, it’s a promise that you’ll continue to be a customer later.

Tip generously. Tips are even more important right now to support small business workers who might have lost hours as in-house service shut down.

Tell a family member or friend about a small business you love. Use word of mouth to support your favorite small businesses. Your family members or friends will likely trust and remember them more if it is shared personally.