Weekly Connections with Brian Lafontaine July 27, 2025
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At LKNConnect, we strive to encourage our community to SHOP LOCAL, DINE LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL, and ENJOY LOCAL. To that end, we want to spotlight local businesses. If you have a great experience at a locally owned Lake Norman area business, please let us know! Reach out to [email protected] for instructions on how to submit your favorite local business for an upcoming spotlight. —Hanna Schoenrock, Managing Editor
LKNConnect promotes and encourages shopping, dining, supporting, and enjoying LOCAL. We believe this strengthens our community and brings value to it. We want YOU to nominate local restaurants and other businesses for our AROUND LKN column. Let us know about hidden gems that we aren’t talking about. Help us bring attention to the Best of the Best. C’mon! Give us what you know in the comments below! We look forward to hearing from you, Lake Norman!
1. More of your money stays in your local economy.
For every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 stays in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community.*
2. You embrace what makes your community unique.
Independent entrepreneurship maintains diversity in product. Variety keeps things interesting!
3. You create local jobs.
Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors. And when you shop locally, you help create jobs for teachers, firemen, police officers, and many other essential professions.
4. You help the environment.
Buying from a locally owned business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.
5. You nurture community.
Local business owners know you, and you know them. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.
6. You conserve your tax dollars.
Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify your community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong — in your community!
7. You create more choice.
Locally owned businesses pick the items and products they sell based on what they know you like and want. And having more choices motivates you to try something new.
8. You take advantage of local expertise and passion.
You are their friends and neighbors, and locally owned businesses have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. They’re passionate about what they do.
9. You invest in, support, and encourage entrepreneurship.
Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business ensures a strong community.
10. You make your community a destination.
The more interesting and unique your community, the more it attracts new neighbors, visitors, and guests. This benefits everyone!
*Sources:
Civic Economics – Andersonville Study of Retail Economics
https://www.independentwestand.org/what-happens-when-you-shop-local/
The views, thoughts and opinions expressed by our writers belong solely to them
and do not represent LKNConnect.com, its publisher or its staff.
