The ?shop local? mantra is as popular as ever, but not everyone understands the logic behind it. It?s more than just a slogan, as there are tangible ways, both financial and experiential, that shopping local benefits you and the community where you live. We feel strongly about the importance of shopping locally, so we created the #shoplokalcc (pronounced ?shop local Corpus Christi?) to promote these benefits. To kick off the promotion, here are four ways you and your hometown win when you purchase locally.
You Invest in Your Local Community
The data is clear: you?re investing more in your local economy when you shop at local businesses. According to Independent We Stand, $68 out of every $100 you spend at local storefronts stays within your community. Compare that to only $43 out of every $100 when you shop at a chain. You can be a part of supporting local schools, police and fire departments, and road improvements.
You Take Advantage of Expertise
How many times have you entered a chain store looking for a specific product or material, only to find that employees don?t know what you?re talking about? It happens often, especially in the remodeling industry. Locally-owned businesses train their employees to be experts on the products and services they offer. You may even get to work with the owner of the company, the ultimate expert herself.
You Make the Community a Destination
Let?s face it: most local stores offer a wide variety of unique and diverse material that bigger chain stores just can?t compete with (namely, personal attention). That being said, most locally-owned stores attract new customers due to the quality of their products and customer service. This creates strong word-of-mouth referrals, which drives local consumers to do business with places their friends and family trust. ?
You Get Above & Beyond Customer Service
When you shop at chain stores, you don?t experience the same level of customer service or attention that local stores can offer. Why? It could be many reasons, such as lack of specialized training, employee apathy, or simply because chains know they?ve nearly monopolized a market and can slack on customer service.
It?s usually different with local businesses. For example, we?re passionate about taking care of our customers from the moment they walk in our store, as well as training our employees to answer the tough questions. We get to know you because we believe it?s the best way to design a space that?s uniquely you. We pay attention to you and genuinely care about solving your remodeling needs.
Now that we?ve shown you four ways you can win by shopping locally let?s talk about the countless places in the Coastal Bend community you can do just that. This list includes some but not all of the local businesses in Corpus. ?
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Food, Drink & Nightlife?
- Hester?s Caf? & Coffee Bar ? ???
- Small Planet Delicatessen & Bakery
- Sugarbakers Bistro, Bakery, & Coffee Bar
- Black Sheep Bistro
- Janet?s Cakery
- Fillingood Bakery
- Coffee Waves
- Shoreline Sandwich Company ?
- The Post at Lamar Park
- Brewster Street Ice House
- Padre Island Burger Company
- The Yardarm
- Luciano?s Italian Restaurant
- Bar Under The Sun (BUS)
- The Exchange
- The Gold Fish
- The Blue Cove ?
Arts & Culture
- The Art Museum of South Texas
- Harbor Playhouse
- Munro Ballet Studios
- Texas State Aquarium
- Corpus Christi Hooks Baseball
Health, Beauty & Shopping?
- The Woodhouse Day Spa
- Yoga Studio of Corpus Christi
- Flawless Beauty Shop
- Casa de Oro Jewelers
- Blossom Shop Florist
- Coastal Bend Eye Center
- Chic to Chic
- Four Chicks in the Park
- Gatherings
- Threads
Giving back to the community where you live, work and play makes an enormous difference in its growth and development. So, decide to #shoplokalcc when you can, and do tell your social circle (and our hashtag) when you find a local place you love.
