Saved From the Landfill

 More and more we are hearing the slogan “Buy Local.”  As a hometown girl, and as an ex local “Mom & Pop” business owner, I try very hard to find what I need in my local community. Not only does this help the local economy, the little guy, but also the   personal connection makes me feel wonderful.  For instance, I was sitting in a café in a nearby town having lunch with my son and his girlfriend, the place wasn’t extremely crowded, but I thought I heard someone say my name, of course I realized there are other Joann’s in the world, so I paid no attention. Then once again, I hear my name as if I was called upon.  Low and behold, this was my pharmacist, my local, Mom & Pop guy, not some big ole chain.  After our little conversation, I turned my head, began eating my (locally grown) salad, and smiled at my son and said “I love this,” and his response, “I know you do Mom.”  I love, I cherish the personalization supporting local businesses give me.

A few weeks before Christmas, I went to drop off some gifts I had purchased at the Salvation Army for the toy drive.  I have an elderly Aunt & Uncle, both born and raised right here in this little town, every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas, they are at the Salvation Army counting the monies that were collected from the kettles.  Of course I can never reach these two at home during this time, and of course there is no answering machine, cell phone or email that either of them will take part in, so I figured I would stop, help count some money and visit.  So I did. Afterwards I walked to the public Library, picked up a book, then made it over to my pharmacy to pick up some prescriptions.  We had a nice conversation about how the café was that we both visited that day, and about some local stuff and whatever else came up.  Another local lady came in, dropped off some goodies for the staff, and kidded around.  When I left, it was not the normal distant, “Have a nice day,” It was that personal “Good bye, see you soon.”  What a great feeling.  When I got home, I stopped for a moment and realized how, yes how great this makes me feel.

Later on that day, I went to a rather small grocery store, a national chain.  The entire time the cashier did not say one word to me, she was talking to another employee.  After I took my receipt, I said to the girl, “Do you realize you did not say one word to me through the entire transaction.” Her response was, “Yes but I looked at you.”  

. Buying locally gets you so much more than the product you set out to purchase. It gives you the feeling of being more than just a consumer. The feeling of knowing that  people can be personal and friendly and even if it is just a simple smile and a hello, that eye-to-eye contact means so much.  For some part of that day, I felt warm and fuzzy inside. And I would like to thank those people who make it personal. Not just some cold transaction. But for giving me that warm fuzzy feeling, that I believe we all need once in a while, and if you can get that every time you go out to purchase something, consider yourself one of the luckiest people around.