As we begin to usher in the holiday season here in Western New York, we also prepare for the most wonderful and economically pivotal time of the year. This holiday season, I urge every resident, from across our community, to make a deliberate choice: Shop Local & Shop Small. Your decisions matter. When you spend at independently owned boutiques, restaurants, and service providers, you're not just buying gifts, you're shaping the very fabric of our regional economy.
The numbers tell a compelling story. For every $100 spent at a local business, approximately $68 remains in our community. These dollars are helping to pay wages, allowing purchases from neighboring suppliers, and, in many cases, resulting in local sponsorships and donations to various not-for-profits. Nationally, only about $43 is recirculated from big-box or online giants. Our member businesses employ tens of thousands of people. When those paychecks are spent shopping in the village of Williamsville or visiting a business in the village of Hamburg, the multiplier effect ripples outward, supporting everything from town services to community upgrades. While a single click on a mega-retailer's app may save a few dollars, those savings quickly evaporate when we factor in the hidden costs, such as vacant storefronts on Main Street, reduced municipal services, and the erosion of the unique character that makes Western New York ours. The pandemic taught us the value of resilience; now, prosperity demands intentionality.
Shopping small isn't charity; it is smart economics. Our local entrepreneurs pivot more quickly, source regionally, and reinvest their profits locally. You have likely seen the family-owned store in East Amherst or the restaurant in Williamsville, supporting our local community through donations and sponsorships. These aren't just transactions that you are making; they are relationships that compound over generations, fostering a sense of belonging, community, and strengthening our unity.
While we are all familiar with Small Business Saturday, which takes place this year on November 29th, there is no reason why we shouldn't support our small businesses throughout the entire holiday season. The Chamber will also be doing its part on our social media pages, highlighting the holiday deals from our members as they become readily available.
Another way to ensure your dollars stay local is to purchase a Shop 716 eGift Card from our website at www.amherst.org/shop716. These gift cards are a great way to support local businesses and give the gift of choice. They are accepted at over 900 small businesses from Springville to Lewiston and are available for purchase year-round.
This past week, Warren Buffett, penned his poignant final annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, as he prepares to step down as CEO at year's end after six decades at the helm. Read his letter here. While Mr. Buffett is known as the "Oracle of Omaha," he has also been recognized for his humility, his philanthropic nature, and for always being clear and concise with his words. This last letter covers a great deal, but his final thoughts on kindness and following the Golden Rule are something we can all strive to do better in our daily lives.
The Chamber has a Giving Tree this holiday season and we encourage you to stop in and pull an “ornament” that has much needed items for our community. November’s Giving Tree supports Child & Family Services. No time to stop in? Call Lauren Harvey at the office and she can assist you with alternate methods to participate.
I wish everyone all the best this holiday season, and please remember my door is always open.
