apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I try to support independently owned shops rather than the big chain stores. I feel better making those purchases - even if I pay a little more for the same item.

Support your neighbors and they will support you.

Funny to see this - I was just listening to a show on NPR the other day about people in the Depression, and how many were encouraged to shop at local stores. Towns even had murals painted praising buying from your local shopkeepers.

I have never been in this shop, but I have admired its yellow striped stairs many times...so fantastic.

And I totally agree, now more than ever we all need to support our local shops...

As much as I love Patio Culture, it isn't a store you can walk into and pick up a cute indoor/outdoor pillow for $40. Yes the merchandise is beautiful and well made/restored. However, the sector of the population that can afford these higher priced goods is dwindling and those that remain are tightening their belts. The local stores I can afford to support are unfortunately going out of business and have marked down merchandise.

One independent neighborhood store that is positioned to make it through this tough period is Agabhumi, a store on Main Street that specializes in jewelry and accessories from Bali. The merchandise is beautiful, affordable and the sales people couldn't be more pleasant.

I try to support local businesses - we have many wonderful shops here in Silverlake also a walking area - but quite honestly some of the stuff is just way overpriced. I think we're all better off buying less no matter where it's from -- this isn't a good time to be spending more than you have to.

My partner and I have started frequenting on a more regular basis a local wine shop and a local grocery store (My Organic Market) to try to help them through these uncertain economic times.

I just read recently in the Washington Post about a local bookstore that was on the verge of closing. The owner put her entire retirement s savings into this bookstore. It started off doing really well and then sales literally nose-dived toward the end of last year. It was sad.

I was recently sharing these same thoughts with friends. I used the phrase: "What you consume, shapes your community" or better yet here, "Where you consume, shapes your community."

Small businesses support local artists and start-up companies, they often give back to their communities, and they make for such a richer visual landscape to our city than the big-box stores.

Love this post. Can't wait to hear some store recommendations.

I completely understand the "overpriced" comments, but for me, I realize that sometimes (sometimes! not always) when you pay a bit more, you're taking the more socially-responsible, environmentally-friendly or otherwise positive choice. I am about to get married, am saving for a home / our future, and am supporting my fiance as he works tirelessly starting his own business.... sure, I can't pay $150 for a pillow, but I am willing to put a *few* more dollars into quality stores and environmentally-friendly products.

Thanks for including us in your list. Come by and pay us a visit some time.