My Small Business Saturday Shopping

[wellstone dem]

I spent $32 on Black Friday, mostly on groceries.

Today I spent more than $600.

I needed a new dryer and had planned to buy it from a Big Box company, but decided if I believed in shopping local, I had to shop local. So today, I went to a local appliance store. I bought my dryer, they will deliver it and haul away two appliances for me. Although the dryer was a little more expensive, I came pretty to close to breaking even because of the difference in charges for the installation/appliance removal. But the best part, was when the saleswoman said, "If you have any problem, you call us. Don't call the number in the manual or the number on the box. You call us, we will make it right!" That's when I knew why shopping local isn't just about the business, it's about the service. It is good for the business and the community, but is good for me too.

Then I went to a local jewelry/gift store. I was able to use my AmEX card which has a small business promotion, so got $25 off. I got the earrings I was looking for, but then I tried on these amazing, recycled wool, made in Minnesota mittens. And let me tell you, that Minnesota knows mittens. I spent a little more at the store, ($43 after discount) than I had planned.

Then to round it out, I bought 6 pounds of coffee from Muggsey's Beans. A local business that does most of its business on-line. http://www.muggsysbeans.com/ It feels a little weird to buy on-line from a store that I could drive to, but this is truly a small business, so its either on-line or at one of the coffee shops or churches that stock these beans. I've been buying beans from Muggsey, ever since he was one of the first non-Minneapolis/St. Paul, businesses to come out forcefully for same-sex marriage. He posted it on his website, and on his facebook page. And when someone said it would cost him business, he said some things were more important. It ended up boosting his sales a bit, as word of what he did spread. http://www.muggsysbeans.com/

It was a good day! Now I have to clean the house so I can let the delivery people in on Wednesday Or maybe I'll just have a beverage.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I went shopping in Stockholm, WI this afternoon.

It's worth the very scenic drive down the Great River Road - there are shops, bakeries and a very nice art gallery. I bought some gloves, a lovely vase, some really good bread and a few other things. And I got to find out more about what they are doing to stop the fracking sand mining in the area. It's nice to deal with small merchants, and they have cooler stuff.

[Lifelong Protester]

2. I say "Thank You!" as a Stockholm resident

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. I love Stockholm!

I was so glad to learn that the fracking operations are being fought off. That's such a beautiful area.

[pansypoo53219]

4. i had a danish visitor this spring + we found denmark, wi.

i think we need to find stockholm when he comes back.

[Lifelong Protester]

5. Been to Denmark, live in Stockholm

one is way cooler than the other.... guess which one I like!

[Lifelong Protester]

6. We're doing out best to fight them off

I am sure the battle is not over yet, but we are at a moment here. Hope sanity prevails.