Shop Local USA

Happy Birthday, America!

Despite our gripes and moans and the current economic struggles, we are indeed blessed to enjoy the many privileges of being Americans. We pursue life, liberty and happiness with unfettered gusto. In particular, we appreciate the joy of family and friends and an active role in our community, both as citizens and as a business.

This week, independent businesses across the United States are celebrating these roles with an "Independents' Week" campaign, aiming to raise awareness of the role of small business as a backbone of the American economy and way of life.

"As we honor national heritage and liberty, we also celebrate our nation's local independent businesses who have given so many citizens opportunity and underpinned and underwritten community life and prosperity. It's also a time to consider the independent decision-making ability each of us possesses to choose the future of the place we make our home." (American Independent Business Alliance)

Please help support the local businesses in your own community. When you patronize local businesses, approximately $68 of every $100 spent stays in the local economy, compared to only $43 spent at a national chain. (Civic Economics Study, Sept. 2008) so, think local. Shop local.

_{CRAVINGS CUE: We are proud to be a member of Shop Local Raleigh. For more information on local businesses in our area, please visit: http://www.shoplocalraleigh.org/}