Dager: Buy local more than a slogan

Typically, when you say the word “retail,” people think of strip malls and large department stores. But the U.S. retail industry started – and in many cases, thrives – with smaller, locally owned shops in towns and cities across America.

The Limited began as a small, single store in Columbus started by a local entrepreneur. Even Velvet Ice Cream started 104 years ago in a tiny retail shop. In every town, the corner grocery was a local staple. Today however, locally owned markets and grocery stores are a harder-to-find yet treasured community asset.

According to the National Grocers Association, there are more than 21,000 independent grocery stores with $131 billion in annual sales, which make up more than 25 percent of retail grocery industry sales. Ross Granville Market and Utica’s Hometown Market are two such beloved institutions in our community. But in order to keep those stores here in Licking County, we must patronize them.

In a recent Nielsen study of some 2,000 consumers who frequently shop their independently owned local grocery, shoppers reported that they do so because they find better quality locally grown and produced food. They said that the abundance of high-quality fruits, vegetables, meats and other fresh foods, as well as additional ingredients, excellent in-store delis and bakeries and prepared “to go” foods are why they shop local. They cited the outstanding local customer service found at their local market as further enhancing the experience.

In light of recent talk of Hometown Market leaving Utica, it is more crucial than ever that we as a community recognize and act on importance of supporting the “buy local” movement. I have fond memories of shopping at Hometown Market since childhood. It was a trusted local business that I thought would always be part of our town. The old maxim “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone” will surely be felt by all of us if we fail to help ensure the health of these businesses.

These days, change is constant, especially in retail. Families don’t support local markets in the same way they once did. However, we hope that everyone in our community with join me in considering what the buy local concept means for us here at home, and then increase support of our local grocers – and all local businesses.

Every time we shop at a local store or purchase goods or services from a local company, we vote with our dollars to keep them in the community. That ensures that they’re here to serve us all, employ local people and enhance our economy and quality of life. Beyond being there with the goods and services we want; healthy local businesses are deeply rooted in our community. They support local sports teams, events, festivals and other efforts to improve our quality of life.

As a 104-year-old local company, we see firsthand the importance of our relationships with local suppliers and partners. We use locally grown and produced ingredients whenever possible. We hire local professionals, work with local banks and even use local labor for our improvements and expansion. No one makes a better partner than those individuals, organizations and businesses who share our community and our values. A commitment by all of us to buy local strengthens our community and improves the lives of our families.

From New York to L.A. “buy local” have become popular buzzwords. But they’ve caught on because they are good for a community. Nowhere is the impact of the movement felt more strongly than in a county like ours, with its smaller, tightly knit towns. Certainly, our larger grocery partners have tremendous power to help us move more ice cream; and we value that profoundly. Similarly, you may find lower prices and more choice in a large supermarket. But there is something truly special -- and crucial to the wellbeing of Licking County -- about shopping local and supporting our smaller, locally owned businesses and the workers they employ.           

The fourth-generation to run her family’s company, Luconda Dager is president of Utica-based Velvet Ice Cream, a major employer and community partner for Licking County. Dager is a regular contributor to the Business Advocate, writing a monthly column on topics that are important to the area’s business community.