Living Car Free - Support you local businesses and producers!

We are heading into what promises to be some fast-paced inflationary times. As the economic squeeze hits all of us, please try to support you locally based merchants and producers.

The "Big Box" stores will continue to offer better prices and it is difficult to avoid them - especially as economic stress bears down on many of us. However, the whole "car free living" gig depends on having convenient, cooperative, bicycle friendly businesses.

It is also important to recognize that local business owners and producers are our friends and neighbors who do a lot to inject economic health into our communities.

Please support your locally owned businesses with your regular shopping dollars.

Totally agree with ya, Mike.

We recently got really lucky and had a hardware store open up about 3 blocks away. It was such a blessing as we are working on our home and always in need of something. Consequently, I ALWAYS check and see if they have what I need before I head for the bigbox store. Haven't had to make the trip yet. When I converted my burley trailer, it was the kid at the local harware store who was interested in the project and who checked every one of those little connector drawers to help me find the pieces I needed, plus I don't have to walk across a mile wide parking lot. My local hardware store manager told me to "bring your bike right on in and get yourself a glass of cold water."

I actually felt appreciated.

Totally agree with ya, Mike.

We recently got really lucky and had a hardware store open up about 3 blocks away. It was such a blessing as we are working on our home and always in need of something. Consequently, I ALWAYS check and see if they have what I need before I head for the bigbox store. Haven't had to make the trip yet. When I converted my burley trailer, it was the kid at the local harware store who was interested in the project and who checked every one of those little connector drawers to help me find the pieces I needed, plus I don't have to walk across a mile wide parking lot. My local hardware store manager told me to "bring your bike right on in and get yourself a glass of cold water."

I actually felt appreciated.

You know, I am experiencing the same thing lately. The local shops are really bike friendly and I don't feel at all wierd about going to the local shops by bike. They really try to accomodate your packing needs, etc. I even had one shop owner offer to drop my purchases off at my house because it was on his way.

I also went to a local hardware store with some bike related fastener needs. The store folks said, "bring your bike inside and let's see what fits". I did and we found just what I needed. Also, instead of having to buy a whole bag of nuts/bolts, I was able to buy just the two that I needed. I would have felt uncomfortable wheeling my bike into the hardware section of Walmart. Once there, of course, I would be on my own to figure out what MIGHT fit my needs by looking at the parts inside the blister packs.

Of course, the local shop is often more expensive than the "Big Box" super-stores, but not always. The small guys have bargains too. If you are making a bigger purchase, you can ask the local guy if he can match the price of the big guys and often they will. I always try to give the little guy a chance for my business.