Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 3

Shopping Local
By Nolan Shook
It has been more than a year since the
pandemic started, and it has affected a lot
of locally owned businesses. We have seen
multiple family-owned businesses go under this
year. Twenty percentof small businesses fail within
the first year, and 50% fail by their fifth year in
business. While many bigger businesses may be
able to ride out a recession, small businesses do
not always have the resources necessary.
It is important to shop locally and support your
local neighborhood store. Maybe it’s a local coffee
spot other than Starbucks, a family-owned diner
instead of a chain restaurant, or buying clothing
from a local boutique rather than a chain store
at the mall. Many people like to say they support
small businesses, but when was the last time
you went more than a week without shopping at
Walmart?
As our stores begin to reopen, think twice about where
your dollars are going. Due to quarantine, many people
have gotten into the habit of buying from Amazon.
Although buying local may cost a little more, keep in
mind that you are supporting your community members
rather than stockholders and CEOs. We are supporting
the people we live and work with in our community.
While small businesses may be extra vulnerable right
now, let us show them our support by buying our
products from them and giving our money and support
to local businesses.
Sioux City Growth Organization welcomes progressive
and innovative ideas. As a group, we work to put these
ideas into action and build the momentum to take Sioux
City into the future.
Nolan Shook, Marketing Board Chair for Sioux City Growth
Organization, Owner of Shook Handyman Service, and a
Realtor for Keller Williams.
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