Shopping locally has never been more important than in today’s downturn economy, according to Jamee Haley of Lowcountry Local First, a grassroots organization that aims to keep local dollars in the community.
“Local businesses support other local businesses,” Haley said. “They use a local contractor and a local printer (for example). It’s what really makes up the character of a community.”
Lowcountry Local First works to promote the local business-to-business relationship by establishing a network of local businesses and encouraging owners to use other local businesses whenever possible.
“You think about the bigger picture; you invest in the community,” Haley said.
According to the organization, for every $100 people spend locally, $45 remains in the community, usually by being sent to other local businesses for additional services.
When people spend $100 at large national chains, only $15 stays in the community, the group reports.
There are more than 300 business members of all types in Lowcountry Local First, and several Summerville businesses have also joined, including retailers Marigold’s, Doolittle’s, Palmetto Moon, American Automotive, Piggly Wiggly, the Summerville Farmer’s Market and Farringdon’s Bistropub.
“Restaurants have seen the benefits with local fresh food on the menu,” Haley said.
Each organization pays an annual fee to be listed in the group’s directory.
Haley said that especially during this time of year, it’s important to support local businesses.
“Retailers depend on (sales) this time of year,” Haley said. “This is make-or-break time. These are people who are friends and neighbors.”
That is especially true in Summerville, where local shops are dominant in the historic downtown area.
Marigold’s, an antique and home décor shop on Short Central Street, has been a member of Lowcountry Local First for a year, and owners Frankie Liady and Celeste Massey say they try to use as many local merchants and services as they can.
Not only do they sell work by local artists, crafters, chefs and authors, but they also use a local printing shop and refer local businesses when customers ask for a particular item they don’t have.
 “If you spend the money in your community, it stays in your community and promotes good business,” Liady said. “If you don’t support local business, then you have no town.”
Haley said Lowcountry Local First is getting ready to launch a “localize your business” campaign to break down the top ten expenditures of each member-business and look for ways owners can use local businesses to get supplies and merchandise.
Lowcountry Local First is part of the national group Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. The group in Charleston is a small but active three-person organization.
Member-businesses are listed in a directory, and those listed can pay more for advertising inside the directory.
Haley said the national group plans to hold a “Local Business” expo in Charleston in February, which should help stimulate the local business economy. Haley said the group is looking into pushing for legislative policies that would encourage local spending and local farming.
 “You get the (companies like) Boeing and others getting subsidies and trying to level the playing field, but what are we doing for local companies?” Haley said. “How are we helping them?”
To learn more about Lowcountry Local First, visit www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org. Haley can be reached at 843-740-5444.
 
Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext, 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.