whyshoplocal

It’s convenient and friendly.

Local stores are right here in your backyard. They may not have everything, but if you try local stores first, you’ll be surprised by what you can buy right here in Oberlin.
The person who waits on you is often the business owner.
Local store staff will take the time to help you personally, especially if you have a special problem to solve.

Roughly three times the money recirculates in Oberlin when purchases are made at locally owned, rather that nationally owned, businesses.
Your dollars spent locally simultaneously create jobs, fund city services through taxes, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development.

You can walk or bike to reduce car use.
Downtown businesses use existing buildings, reducing sprawl, loss of habitat and farmland.
Local businesses purchase from other local businesses and service providers, reducing energy for transportation.

Independent local businesses make decisions based on what our community needs and wants, not what a national headquarters thinks we need.
Local business owners live here. They are invested in the community and know that decisions they make affect us all.

A healthy downtown is a gathering place for the exchange of ideas and information. Free speech is guaranteed on public property, unlike malls and shopping “towns” which are private property.
Local businesses give a larger percentage of their revenues to local charities and schools than corporate stores.
Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character.
The unique character of downtown Oberlin is a large part of what brings residents to live here and promotes tourism.