Support Local Businesses!
Why Shop Local?
As you finish up (or are just beginning?) your holiday shopping, consider seeking out local businesses! When you spend money locally, more of those dollars are then recirculated back into our local economy. Some studies estimate that for every $100 spent at locally-owned businesses, $73 stays in the local economy, compared to just $43 when that $100 is spent at a business that is not locally-owned. Small, locally-owned businesses also donate almost 2.5 times more per employee to local nonprofits and charities. Local businesses are also often closer to shoppers than large national chains, meaning shoppers drive as much as 25% fewer miles when they shop locally!
Some Of Our Favorites
Built Oregon: this local online market is full of great Oregon-made gifts from art and jewelry to home goods and gifts for your kids and pets.
Portland Mercado: a local collection of Latinx businesses that includes food carts, a produce market, and coffee shop. Pick up a gift card for some delicious take-out!
With Love, from PDX: founded in 2015, With Love, From PDX specializes in curated gift boxes filled with goodies from over 75 local businesses. Support local creators and give the gift of Portland!
Shop BIPOC-Owned Businesses:
Mercatus: Support local Black business owners using this directory of Black-Owned Portland businesses. Founded in 2016, Mercatus is dedicated to elevating the unique and universal narratives of entrepreneurs of color in Portland.
The Portland Metro area rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla,and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River. To honor local tribes, Mercatus has also created a Buy Native directory so we can also support Indigenous and Native American business owners. These companies are from business owners that identify as Native American and/or Indigenous.
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Read more about shopping at small, local businesses: CivicEconomics.com; MetroFamilyMagazine.com: 15 Reasons to Shop Locally; ILSR.org: Key Studies: Why Independent Matters.