Reasons Why You Should Shop Locally in Louisiana
Louisiana is a huge state with many different cultures, but the one thing that unites all Louisianians is their love for shopping local. Whether you live in New Orleans or Baton Rouge, we’ve got you covered! Here are some reasons why it’s worth your time to shop locally.
The benefits of shopping locally
Living in Louisiana has its perks, and one of those is being surrounded by a wealth of local businesses. The types of stores you’ll find in Louisiana are unlike any other state, and being able to support your neighbor’s business can be very fulfilling! Shopping online is easy and convenient, but it doesn’t always have the same feeling as going into a store. Get out there and explore your new home town-eventually you’ll find your favorite spots to shop at for years to come!
One of the benefits is that you can buy locally grown food. You know where it came from and how far it traveled, you can see the person that grew your food. You can talk to them about what they used and how they farm. You can also take greater amounts of produce, like you can buy pickles in 5 gallons or more, and not have to worry about when it will arrive and how you will get it home. If something goes wrong, with a local business, you have a great response time that is much faster than with one overseas or across the country.
Louisiana has tons of unique stores
Louisiana has tons of unique stores that offer something special and different than what you’ll find elsewhere-and they’re mostly mom-and-pop owned. You won’t see a Target here, but there’s an antique store or quirky boutique just down the street. The city’s charm is seen in every corner, and each store represents a different side of Louisiana culture. You can find almost anything at a Louisiana boutique, from clothing to jewelry.
If you’re looking for locally made products, this is the place! There are tons of locally made products in Louisiana. If you’re looking for a gift, you don’t have to look far- just head out into the neighborhood and see what kind of cool stuff some local artists have been working on!
There’s nothing quite like going into an actual store
When you’re browsing around, you get to take in all the little details and see all the different products that are available. You can also touch and feel what it’s like to wear a garment or try on the jewelry. Plus, if you have any questions about the product or don’t know if it’ll be right for you, you can ask a knowledgeable employee who will help you find the perfect item for your needs. Shopping online is convenient because there’s no time wasted driving to a store or waiting in long lines-but it doesn’t quite compare to being able to go in person.
The prices are generally much better than online
This is especially true when it comes to clothing, accessories, and shoes. The markups on items you buy online can be steep, especially if it’s a popular brand name item that everyone is trying to get their hands on. Local stores often have better deals because they aren’t carrying all the overhead costs of running an online store!
This local business probably supports other local businesses too
A brick-and-mortar business usually doesn’t exist in a vacuum – it’s part of a community that depends on each other to thrive. One thing leads to another, which makes for some very awesome places to shop at! Plenty of shops support their neighbors by selling different types of merchandise or using them for services, and there are lots of opportunities for networking with people in your community as well. If you’re interested in starting your own business, you can even learn more about what it’s like to run a small shop and get some pointers from local experts.
Visiting the store gives you a chance to meet new people too
If you’re visiting Louisiana for school or because you just relocated here, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be meeting new people – people who are also shopping at these local shops! This is especially true if you wind up liking one of the shops so much that you decide to become a regular visitor. If it has an area where people hang out and socialize with each other, then that’s another place for making new friends – or simply getting to know the interesting locals better by talking about things they have in common.
Luckily there’s an abundance of local shops to choose from
The state is home to almost three thousand different businesses that are classified as Small Businesses (less than five hundred employees). New Orleans alone has almost nine hundred of them, so you’ll certainly find something that appeals to you! If you’re not sure where to start your search, try looking in the area where you live for a place that seems appealing and fits your personality or tastes best. There’s something out there for everyone!
You can take pride in supporting Louisiana-based ventures
When you spend money at these businesses instead of ones online, it helps contribute to the economic infrastructure of your new community. It also helps boost the jobs field too, which is great within this sector as more and more people decide to work for themselves. Louisiana has plenty of great entrepreneurs who are launching their own businesses here, so you’ll find that a lot of these individuals have great ideas and the drive to make them happen!
Getting involved with different community activities is easier too
When you’re involved in something that involves other local businesses, it’s usually quite easy to partner up or gets support from them for your endeavors. For example, if you’re trying to put together an event like a fundraiser, farmers market, or craft show, then it might be very helpful to know which shops would be willing to help out by donating products or letting people shop at their store instead of charging admission. It can also give your customers a chance to get to know each other!
Living in Louisiana has its perks, and one of those is being surrounded by a wealth of local businesses. The types of stores you’ll find in Louisiana are unlike any other state, and being able to support your neighbor’s business can be very fulfilling! Shopping online will always be practical but it doesn’t always have the same feeling as going into a store. Get out there and explore your new home town-eventually you’ll find your favorite spots to shop at for years to come!