TulipGirl

I saw this over at Clever Nesting, a daydream site for the wannabe crafter in me. I like the idea of the 3/50 Project — I like supporting local businesses.

I do slightly disagree with the idea of “spend it online, and nothing comes home.” Sure, it might not come directly into my community, but most of what I spend online is from mompreneurs or small businesses that are local to their own communities. That wouldn’t be the case buying from the big online retailers, but the small, handmade or home-based businesses? Online sales can help keep them going when they are still building a sustainable, local customer base.

Some of my favorite local businesses:
Funtoysia
Lifestyle Hearing
Cinnamental Bakers
Bangkok Restaurant
Bella Coffee House
Rudolph Clay Studios
Lambrix-Bush Warehousing
Haley Lamourt Chiropractic
Fruitville Grove Market
Dr. Jaworski and Dr. Moricz
Orthodontists of Lakewood Ranch

Some of my favorite independent, non-local businesses:
Old Bisbee Roasters
High Desert Market and Cafe
Kristen Stewart Photography

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What are some of your favorite local businesses? How can you direct some of your normal, budgeted spending to support them?

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Update: After I posted this, I saw another local blogger, Somber and Dull, had just written about one of his favorite local stores — Funtoysia! (Doesn’t that just beg for some ironic comment?)