1. Shopping locally keeps money in your community. 

Local businesses carry more locally made products, hire local banks and services, purchase supplies from other local businesses and farms, advertise in local media and create local jobs.  Buying  local helps grow other businesses

 

2.  Non-profits receive greater support.

Local businesses are more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events.  So, supporting local shops means a positive financial impact on your community.

 

3. Unique Businesses are part of Kauai’s distinctive character.   

Local businesses are more likely to carry products from local artists and craftspeople or may actually be owned and managed by the artist creating the product. By supporting local businesses you are supporting the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit that makes Kauai so special.  This is important to locals and tourists as well. When people go on vacation they generally seek out shopping destinations that add to their sense of being somewhere unique.

 

4.  Environmental impact is reduced. 

Local businesses stock more locally-sourced goods which do not require shipping.  Therefore, fuel, packaging and other resources used in shipping are reduced

Products that are ordered from the mainland are ordered in bulk which is more efficient and requires less packaging than individual products ordered online and having small amounts of product shipped at a time.

Local businesses are more likely to use existing buildings which saves resources.  (Think of the shops in the Hanalei Old School Building.  This building has been essentially been recycled from a school house to retail stores and restaurants.)

 

5.   Shopping locally helps you enjoy and connect with your community.

 Neighbors become friends when they meet or “talk story” with one another while shopping locally.  It is a time to discover their common joys and uniqueness. Communities are built on these simple connections.

 

6.  Gas is expensive.  Your time is valuable. 

Shopping on the North Shore saves both.

Staying “close to home” and shopping locally helps your pocket book and calendar!