Make a statement - Shop Local

Every time you open your wallet, you are making a statement, says Jed Levene.

"To me, capitalism is the most perfect form of democracy," says the new president of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce. "Every time you spend money, you are making a decision to support something - or, to not support something."

With that in mind, Levene is urging people to make an educated choice with their buying power by shopping locally.

"Local business owners and professionals really drive everything that goes on in this community and help give the city its unique flavour," says Levene, a founding partner of Georgian Bay Financial Inc. "They are the ones that support special events and festivals like the recent Kiwanis Music Festival. They are the ones that sponsor your children's soccer and hockey teams, provide jobs … the impact is immeasurable."

And it's not just financial. Through their efforts in the community via local service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs, business leaders also provide countless hours of volunteer service and support to many endeavours and initiatives.

Those business owners deserve to be supported, said Levene.

"All we're asking is that people consider who they go to when they want someone to sponsor their kids' soccer team, when they are looking for a summer job or when there is a crisis in the community," Levene said. "If you don't support those businesses, they cannot and will not survive. Someday, you'll go looking for help and their doors will be closed."

To keep those doors open, local businesses need to support one another, says Jim Dykes, who owns Madison County Food and Beverage Company.

"Every year, we support 100-150 events that range from providing free coffee at a community bake sale or fund-raising walk to making major donations to Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, the YMCA or the multi-use recreation project … and the only way we can do that is by being a successful business that is supported by the community," says Dykes.

Dykes concedes that being local isn’t a good enough reason on its own to earn business. “All we’re asking is to have an opportunity,” Dykes said. “If the price and service is comparable, why not chose to spend your money locally versus spending it in Barrie or further afield? If we all did that, the impact would be huge.”

In fact, Dykes employs a simple policy at his business to ensure he practises what he preaches. He personally surveys his accounts payable file in an effort to ensure he is doing everything in his power to spend his money locally.

“Every time I sign a cheque, I ask myself if the cheque is going somewhere outside Orillia if I could find a way to keep that money in the community,” said Dykes.

Both Dykes and Levene believe the issue is one of education; many people simply do not realize the unique range and broad spectrum of goods and services available locally.

That was a message that hit home recently for Levene, who wanted to purchase some ‘conversation cubes’ Oprah Winfrey was pushing. As he tried to order the cubes from Chicago, he learned that there were three Ontario distributors selling the unique product.

“I found out that they were actually available at Cavana Inn and Spa,” said Levene, noting the bed and breakfast is just a few blocks away from his office. “As a consumer, it’s important to look around your own community before you look outside the community.”

Levene also said it’s the responsibility of local merchants to make sure people know what’s available in their own backyard.

“It’s definitely incumbent on each of us to get the word out and let people know what we do and what we sell,” Levene said. “That’s our responsibility.”

To help out the cause, Levene is making the Chamber’s first foray into the YouTube universe with a short video on the chamber’s new YouTube channel about the unique things you can buy in Orillia. He hopes it is the first of many to come.

While innovative new media will be deployed to help deliver the message, Levene has also developed a more traditional method to help get the “shop locally” message to more people. He has created a colourful rack card that can be given out by businesses at causes they support.

“There is a place for your business card and a space that allows you to personalize the message in how people can support your business,” says Levene.

On the back of the slick, premium stock card is a message about the importance of shopping locally that includes the following: ‘Imagine what would happen to the spirit of the community if the business owners and professionals here stopped donating their time and money to the various causes they support. It would be devastating. By supporting their business, it allows them to continue to support your community.’

For Levene, the simple message is one that resonates. “I don’t for a moment think people shop elsewhere out of malice,” he says. “It’s just about not realizing how important it is and what the impact is of supporting the local businesses. We have some incredible, unique businesses in our downtown and throughout the city. If they’re not supported, they will close. It’s that simple.”

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Jed Levene, the new president of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, says shopping locally can have a huge impact on an economy, keeping local businesses open – and able to support community initiatives that are the lifeblood of the city.