Buy Local - Shop Bryan

Significantly more money re-circulates in Bryan when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses:  A study commissioned by the Andersonville (Chicago) Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce in October 2004 found that for every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 stays in the local economy.  For every $100 spent at non-local businesses, only $43 stays in the local economy.  More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. 

Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character:  Big box retailers and strip malls have replaced traditional locally owned shops (and continue to do so!), making Bryan look more like Anytown, USA, not the unique community it really is.  The unique character of Bryan is what brought us here and will keep us here.  Our tourism rate can also increase because of local, independently owned businesses.  “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” – Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust 

Non-profits receive greater support:  Non-profit organizations receive an average of 35% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses. 

Reduced environmental impact:  Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe.  This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.