Usually when you think about buying local, you think about those old-fashioned Ma and Pa stores on Main Street. There’s a lot more to it than just that. Ma and Pa doesn’t generally open up stores across the country and become Ma and Pa, Inc. They remain local and give their store that unique touch that makes them stand out from generic, big chain stores. These personal touches, supported by locals, literally create the identity of the community.

Buying Local Creates Identity
Albuquerque once centered around the local stores that line Historic Route 66. These stores created the iconic image of Old Albuquerque. Many of these local businesses still operate along Central Avenue and in Nob Hill. These businesses give that area of Albuquerque their unique identity for both people from New Mexico and tourists from around the world.

Tourism Supports Identity
Tourism can help a unique community thrive. In the case of Albuquerque, the Balloon Fiesta, for example, draws large out of state crowds and brings large amounts of revenue to the city. If Albuquerque has more local businesses for those out-of-state dollars to be spent at, the greater the chance those dollars will stay in the local economy.

We Maintain Identity
In today’s economy, money makes the world move. Once small local identities have been built and expanded, they must be financially maintained. Albuquerque residents must support their local businesses year round or many will struggle to survive. If residents spend their money at big chains, local businesses fail to succeed. Once they fail, Albuquerque will begin to lose parts of its unique identity. Without those special, local touches, Albuquerque could become a cookie-cutter city with no special flair of its own.

There are many compelling reasons to buy local, many of them are economic. One of the more personal reasons to buy local, though, is to have an active role in shaping and creating a community. These crafted communities represent the unique cultures and tastes of an area. Quite frankly, Ma and Pa’s is a lot more special than Blah and Blah’s.

Becky Raichur
VP, SonicSEO.com
Albuquerque SEO and Internet Marketing