Spending Dollars Locally Goes Further
The next time you decide to make a trip to Grand Rapids for grocery shopping, or perhaps for building materials or a gift for a relative, perhaps see if you can find what you’re looking for in your own hometown, the community of Sparta.
Michael Shuman, author of “Going Local,” doesn’t believe a resident has to cut big box stores altogether, rather, he advises to keep local businesses in mind.
“Going local does not mean walling off the outside world,” said Shuman. “It means nurturing locally owned businesses, which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”
On average, if you spend $100 at a local business, $73 stays in the local economy. If you spend $100 at a nonlocally owned business, only $43 dollars stay in the local economy. 
The story of the circulation of a dollar
One dollar spent at a local business can go a long way. One example is Sparta Elevator, locally owned and managed by Ron Schantz. Not only does one receive a personalized education about certain brands of dog food and the unhealthy fatty fillers of other brands of dog food, Schantz makes sure to create a relationship with his customers.
“We want our customers to be able to bring their kids in here, and educate them on what types of bird seed bring certain types of birds or to experience the chicks in the spring time,” said Schantz. “Making a connection with a family, teaching them about planting seeds or feeding birds creates memories that those kids will pass on to their kids, hopefully.”
Although customer service and education do not have a price tag, a dollar spent at Sparta Elevator continues in the community when Schantz shops at local businesses such as Rogers Hardware, or when he eats lunch at a local restaurant, such as Angela’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria.
Angela’s Pizza is a family owned restaurant that features homemade Italian food with recipes from Italy. With a dollar spent from lunch from Sparta Elevator, Angela’s Pizza spends part of that dollar on purchasing bread products for baked subs from another local business, Tom’s Hometown Bakery.
Angela’s is saving time and money on shipping and delivery charges from Grand Rapids by using the products and services of another locally owned business. Plus, the product that is freshly baked just a few doors down is much fresher than any frozen bread on the market.
Angela Candela, namesake of Angela’s Pizza, said the main reason they support other local businesses is to “help Sparta grow.”
Tom’s Hometown Bakery also understands the importance of successful local businesses in a community. “You can call here and talk to a person about ordering a large order of doughnuts or specialty cake order to make sure it is exactly as you want it,” said bakery owner Tom Penland. “We cater to our customers, even last minute orders. If we can fill it, we will do so gladly!”
Tom’s Bakery has three local restaurants in Sparta that buy bread or rolls from their bakery: Maxine’s, Garden Patch and Angela’s Pizza. Penland’s family is often found eating at those restaurants because they understand the value of spending their dollars at local businesses. “If I can find it in Sparta,” he says, “it is worth my time and gas money to buy it in Sparta, even if I am paying a little more for it.”
Every time you spend $1 at a local retail business, imagine how that dollar make its way into a local restaurant, that buys product from a local bakery, that purchases services at a local salon, insurance office, or even to support a youth sports team.
That same dollar spent at a big box store in Grand Rapids would most likely never see its way to any Sparta business, Sparta youth program, or employ a Sparta resident. Next time you spend $1, spend wisely.
