Localvores Unite

Walmart makes my eye twitch.

While the intellectual side of me realizes it's completely unreasonable to experience anxiety at the hands of a discount retalier, I can't ignore the palpitations when I pull into the parking lot.  Perhaps it's the selection overkill.  Maybe the possibility of buying bologna, sweatpants, deoderant, a Wii and tires, on clearance, in the same shopping trip, at 3am, renders my otherwise rational brain dysfunctional.  Even adhering to a strict shopping list becomes a chore.  I begin thinking, "Ah, yes. Besides milk, eggs and laundry detergent, I also need a new comforter, turkey baster AND Flag Day greeting cards!"  

Folks, it's not pretty.

A few nights ago, a friend and I found ourselves in Downtown New London, on State Street, popping in and out of the various shops when we happened into .  The smells of the nearby restaurants wafted in while we perused the handmade trinkets.  We chatted with strangers, even encountered a few friends. On more than one occasion, my friend and I found ourselves saying, "Why don't we come here more often!"  

Indeed, that was the question of the evening.

For several years in a row, I braved the crowds, in the big stores, the day after Turkey Day in a quest for the perfect gift at deliriously deep discounts.  Each year, I'd stand in the obscene lines, at unearthly hours of the morning, on the receiving end of shoves and elbows just to make a small purchase.  

And that was just for coffee.

That evening downtown, I found a stunning pair of earrings worthy of purchasing a dress to match and a delightful little rosette pin, made from vintage ribbon.  (What can I say, I'm in a major accessory stage at the moment.)  As I carried my adorably wrapped purchases out the door, after a genuine invitation to return by the owner, we stepped out onto State Street, into the chilly, November evening, with something much more than what was in my shopping bag.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good trip to Target or the mall as much as the next lady with a balance free credit card, but shopping local offers something the big guys can't.  I invite you to experience it for yourself.

Next Saturday has been designated Small Business Saturday, and you're invited to support local economies and small businesses by making one purchase next weekend.  For more information, check out Small Business Saturday.