Saving our Brick and Mortars!

It's no secret to any of you that times are tough! We've all been listening to the media tell us for months just how bad things are. In fact, some of the words often used are "crisis, bleeding, crash", and others of equal bleakness. This isn't to say that we don't have some big issues in this country, but is this really the way we should be dealing with them, by constantly telling everyone that will listen "just how bleak the outlook really is"? No, I don't think so.

I've just read about The 3/50 Project and am very excited about it. Basically, The 3/50 Project is built on a simple concept - consumer loyalty to independent storefront businesses equals stronger local economies.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy:

1. Pick three locally owned stores you'd miss if they disappeared, then return to them. Say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Those purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

2. If just half the employed US population committed to spending $50 in locally owned stores each month, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine what would happen if 3/4 of them did that.

3. For every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the local economy through payroll taxes, property taxes, sales tax, payroll, and other business related expendatures. When purchasing from a chain or franchise, that amount drops to $42; if it's spent online, nothing comes home.

I grew up in Bath, and remember when there wasn't much here to choose from for shopping. We've come along way in the past fifteen or so years, and I think we'd all like to keep it that way. If you can, spend a minimum of $50 a month between your favorite three stores...you'll be surprised how far it goes in your community!

Thank you for supporting Bath businesses! We all appreciate it.