Simplicity: Shop Local

Today I had the rare delight of being able to meet up with a friend for lunch. You see Thursdays ALL of my chickens are at school - preschool or otherwise.  Usually this day is reserved for running around like a crazy woman - doing every errand I can think of that would be delightful to not have kids in tow or have to juggle car seats for a two second turn around visit.  While I had errands to run, it was my turn to work the book fair at Drew and Penny's preschool and most of my day was taken.  I purposely didn't over schedule myself today-knowing I'd be starting with a handicap.  So, I met my wonderful friend Leslie for lunch and a quick visit, since we've both been excessively busy and not had much time to gab.  And boy can we gab.  We decided on lunch at a restaurant on the square here in Noblesville, since I had to pick up my kids first - lucky Leslie gets an extra hour and a half at her school!  We met at a wonderful sandwich, soup, salad shop that has become my usual stop on my day of choas, otherwise known as Thursday.  As we were sitting in the shop eating our sandwiches and soup and salad, it got me thinking about buying local and how this terrible economy is really strangling not only the big dogs you hear about on the news, but the little guys that you come to love just right around the corner. Today my topic is shopping local - if you have to do it, do it local. Sounds like a t-shirt motto...

Now my friend Leslie is the knower of all things, she knows everyone, she knows where all the greatest shops and restaurants are and she is a wonderful source of knowledge (she reminds me a lot of my mom), so when I came up with a restaurant that she'd never heard or suggested going into a shop on the square that she'd never been, well I felt like a puffed up peacock!  So we met at the Logan Street Marketplace and had our fab lunch and then went to The Wild children's bookstore to show off their goods and introduce her to Jane the owner and Pages the store cat (whom has decided he loves me, which is hilarious because he is SO cat, so don't tell him I told you!).  In this world of big box stores that even I am guilty of shopping at, I find myself continually drawn to eating out, getting coffee or finding that perfect gift - right in my backyard.  Maybe its because I started my own little business that these other ones (that are big dogs compared to me!) have become so dear to me.  One of my other stomping grounds is Noble Coffee and Tea - let me just tell you as a coffee snob (I typically grind my own beans and prefer my own brew to coffee houses) I love these gals.  They make a mean cup of joe and everything they have to offer is just perfect, not burnt or taste-sensory overload like some of the more common coffee shops.  I even sport a bumper sticker, which I am normally not a fan of, but a friend gave it to me at Christmas.  It says "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks." So, so true.  What I love about this coffee shop is not only the fact that everything tastes awesome, but you can get every flavor of Republic of Tea, teabags AND the girls know you buy name.  I tell Ryan all the time, my highest aspiration for retirement is to work at Noble Coffee and Tea and on the weekends sit with my crones and talk about the old days.  That's how much I love it.

                

I have stated my love for The Wild children's books store before, we purchased all of Penny's birthday gifts there and most of Jon's and Drew's.  At Christmas time they are one of my favorite stops, but I realize (and Ryan explains to me as he does our finances) I can't solely keep them in business.  It breaks my heart though when I walk into the store and there is no one shopping, it continues to break my heart to hear that business is down, not just for our adorable bookstore, but also for all of the businesses on our square.  We have a beautiful square, with some really great shops.  It makes me sad when I see one of our stores close. I pray that my beloved Wild or Marketplace doesn't fall victim.  If you live local, you need to take the time to come to our square and enjoy what all we have to offer.  

It isn't just our square, its square's all over the country - falling victim to keeping up with the suburban shopping strip malls.  As a former planner, I can tell you that too many squares have succumbed to becoming nothing more than antique malls, being antiques themselves.  I consider myself lucky that ours is still thriving, struggling, but fighting to stay a float.  It isn't just the shops either, I have our insurance guy on the square, our investment guy on the square, our dry cleaners on the square and had my clock repaired at the clock shop, we need some screens rescreened, so I'll take them this spring to our hardware store to be redone.   I consider myself blessed that our main street has so much to offer.  But it can only offer its goods and services if people continue to patronize them.  I realize that times are financially straining for everyone, but it felt good when I went to purchase Penny's kitchen at my favorite store and I didn't spend anymore than I would have if I had gone to Toys r' us, but I know that my purchase directly benefitted my LOCAL economy.  Sure I didn't have all the choices, but that made the choice easy.  Think about that next time you decide to go to Borders for a book or if you are lucky enough to have a local bookstore, or restaurant, or coffeeshop, well you get the point.

I could go on and on about some of our other amazing places along the square - but the bottom line is -shop, live and love local - thanks!

my best pulled-back-hair-no-make-up paris hilton pose