A couple of years ago, I would have never taken into consideration whether a product was local or not while going to purchase it. I never really understood what all of this “buying local” fuss was about. Moving to Eugene changed that for me.
For a less-than-huge city, Eugene has an amazing amount and variety of local businesses. For example, in comparison to Salem, Oregon, Eugene has a slightly smaller population, but over 3,700 more total businesses. It’s easy to see the diversity of businesses we have here in Eugene, from ethnic food restaurants to specialty coffee and tea shops to consignment stores featuring local fashion designers. This diversity isn’t something you would normally see in a city of Eugene’s size.
Even more, in spring of last year, I began to work for a local business downtown, which has taught me even more about the importance of supporting them in your community. Not only do local businesses often provide a quality service to their own community, but they engage with the community. Also, several of the local businesses in town are family run. So by buying local, you’re not only keeping the business itself alive, but also that family that you might know on a personal level.
At my work, I am treated as a part of this family business. My bosses know what’s going on in my life and I don’t feel like a disposable, replaceable part in a business machine. By working for a long-time Eugene business, I really feel that I am engaging in the community.
Nicole Desch, the owner of Heritage Dry Goods, had a lot to say about the importance of local businesses in an economy. Her stylish store in downtown Eugene speaks to her beliefs, selling only American-made, high quality products. Desch, who opened this store in August 2013, explained to me that “by buying things that are made in our towns, communities and industries, we can keep jobs and good paying jobs around.”
As Desch pointed out, these unique businesses also “keep skills and trades alive. Those things disappear if they’re not handed on, generation after generation. And if we don’t support those industries, there’s no one to hand that information along to.”
I also spoke with Jeff Althouse, the founder and CEO of Oakshire Brewing, one of Eugene’s most beloved breweries that was launched in 2006. Althouse, who began brewing beer in his own home while attending the University of Oregon as an undergrad, feels passionately about how his craft benefits the community. “The majority of Eugene’s economic output is produced by small to mid-sized companies. If you buy local beer, you employ local people,” said Althouse.
Supporting local businesses in your area is practical for the economy. But more than that, many of these businesses also work to give back to their community in other ways as well. For example, Oakshire Brewing donates one percent of all of their Watershed IPA sold to the McKenzie River Trust, an organization that protects the lands surrounding the McKenzie river to ensure its health and natural benefits. Althouse hopes that this will keep Eugene’s waters safe for recreation and prime for brewing crisp, clean beer.
Likewise, Nicole Desch has organized the Downtown Eugene Merchants, where a group of downtown business owners work together to put on events downtown that raise revenue for merchants and give the community great deals on local products.
These businesses are benefitting our community in ways that extend far beyond just the products they sell and we need to do our best to keep them here. First, by buying from local businesses whenever possible. Even if the product you’re looking for isn’t made locally or it’s out of your price range, you can usually buy a foreign product from a local vendor. At least this allows for keeping some of that money in our community, as opposed to buying from a national corporation or online.
Next, don’t hesitate to spread the word about these awesome goods and services that we have so near to us. Suggest a unique local restaurant the next time your parents come to take you to dinner. Order a keg from one of Eugene’s many local breweries the next time you throw a party. Make an effort to buy birthday and holiday gifts from local vendors.
In Eugene, we’re insanely lucky to have the range of quirky businesses that we do. And we should certainly be taking advantage of them.