Anytime, a local business closes, it’s a sad thing. Local restaurants struggle because of the lack of advertising dollars, money and ability to be located in main areas in the city to compete with chain restaurants. Small businesses say the more chains that come into the area, the harder it is to survive. Many chains lately have caught onto the idea that the communities they poison are understandably irritated, and they put out pamphlets about “corporate responsibility” and “giving back.” All of which are great things, but they ignore the bottom line for these businesses, which is profit and stock value. I suspect that they engage in recycling programs, organic and fair trade sourcing, and other things because of consumer pressure, not out of a personal sense of duty or community building.

For me, I like to support local businesses and restaurants. This makes sense because local businesses give back to their community. Adventuring is about new experiences across the range of senses, and that includes taste. The adventure of going to new places and exploring new food and drinks. There are a lot of really good restaurants in the area making really good food, and if people don’t know bout these hidden treasures and frequent these places, then they won’t be around for us to enjoy. Yes, sometimes I strike out and disappointed by my meal, but at other times I am delighted by what I find and rejoice in it.

Community support and a good reputation are invaluable. If I have a problem with a chain, it’s impossible to get ahold of anyone who can actually resolve my dispute. Most “managers” are figureheads who have no actual authority, and can only forward my frustration on to corporate–and if I do get a response, it will be lackluster and months later. What does a corporate office care if one person in one town is displeased with their business? They have millions of customers elsewhere.

Local business is better business because the money stays local. Yes, chains pay locally based employees and taxes, but they don’t use local banks, send the children of the owner to local schools, or participate in locally organized events. Local business encourage an interactive community with friendly faces that you know, personally.

Many Mom & Pop — smaller restaurants are on a much smaller budget in terms of table linens, plates, silverware… and it is noticeable. The food is always tremendous, but expediency is not their goal. I always get kind service, large portions, and a much lower price. I always know when the menu says homemade… I know that it means in the restaurant, not made in California homemade, frozen and sent to the restaurant. I also always know that the money I give them goes back into local community… which makes me happy.

The social network that locally owned businesses build is crucial. I think of the establishments I frequent more as extensions of my family than faceless entities. And in turn I am welcomed as a member of the family, given excellent and loving service, and encouraged to come again.  My favorite restaurants quite admirable commits to buying locally whenever possible. It’s one of the things that makes me a loyal customer–I know that when it is feasible, my food will be as close to the source as possible. It tastes better, not only in the soul but on the tongue. 

To help level the playing field for small business owners, here are some tips on how you can play a role in supporting your local economy and do your part in supporting local businesses in the community.

1. Write Online Reviews for Your Favorite Local Business–

Come up with a short list of your favorite places in your community to write reviews for. Not only are you generating good PR for your favorite businesses, you’re also giving local business owners useful feedback as well as marketing content to promote. It’s often difficult for small business owners to solicit testimonials for their marketing channels but just by writing one review, you’re giving them marketing content to use for all of their marketing channels.

2. Engage with Local Businesses on Social Media–

Social media platforms likes Facebook are getting saturated with paid ads and it’s becoming harder and harder for local businesses to reach their audience through the noise. Next time you’re checking your social media news feeds, engage with your favorite small businesses. Or if you’re visiting a local business, be sure to “check-in” on Facebook

3. Make Recommendations to Friends and Family–

Word of mouth marketing is vital to a small business. As I pointed out earlier, small businesses don’t have large marketing budgets and much of their business comes from repeat business or from word of mouth marketing. Small business owners still prefer calls and in-person interactions as a way of getting customers and still believe that word of marketing is more valuable. A great way to expose your friends to your favorite local businesses is to bring them there. Next time you’re setting up a lunch or meeting up with a friend for coffee, instead of meeting at a retail chain like Starbucks, choose to meet at an independently owned coffee shop, in your community to stay informed about new businesses that are opening or running a promotion.

In addition, many customers complain about the high prices, these small businesses simply can’t compete with the big stores on the volume of products they move. But I can’t imagine what life would be like without these small businesses. At the very least restaurants would be way more bland and unexciting.  Mom and Pop small businesses give cities their own flavor. They give the community a local space in which to connect with each other and share a unique experience.

As founder/Administrator of SWFL Foodies, it brings me great pleasure to share these places with you, the members. I invite you to come to a local dining and other related foodie event to break bread with fellow foodies and gourmets. Discover new restaurants, enjoy delicious meals and make satisfying conversation with friendly dinner companions.

SWFL Foodies care deeply about the local foodie community by sharing wonderful meals with like minded culinary explorers. As foodies we love finding the hidden gems or hole in the wall places and will go anywhere as long as there’s good food.