Shift the Way You Shop

New banners line the streets of downtown Walla Walla today, highlighting the fantastic quality of life in our little town. For a town of just over 30,000 people, we have a lot to offer. Everyone knows about our outstanding wineries, where you can sit and sip on tasty locally made wine. You can travel the world from here when you dine (or takeout) at our local restaurants, from Greece to Thailand and everywhere in between.

But Walla Walla is so much more than just great wine and drink. There are hundreds of small shops and retailers that support every hobby and lifestyle out there. When you knit local, read local, and play local, you’re enjoying and supporting this beautiful community. Supporting local doesn’t just mean buying local. It involves hashtagging, reviewing, and otherwise promoting the local stores, their safety measures, and their innovation.

“ If every one of Walla Walla’s residents spent just $5 at a local business today, our local businesses would make $150,000. ”

The reality of our interconnected world is that we will inevitably sometimes need something from Amazon or Walmart. And that’s okay. The products you get from those locations support your quality of life too. It’s essential, though, to shift the way you shop when you can. If every one of Walla Walla’s residents spent just $5 at a local business today, our local businesses would make $150,000. Those locally spent dollars recycle through our community businesses an average of seven times, turning that $150,000 into over $1 million spent locally. Those dollars don’t just support our businesses and employees. They also support our kids’ sports teams, our community events, and our nonprofit organizations.

So take a moment on this beautiful day to walk around downtown, check out the new banners, and visit a local shop. Spend $5 (or $500) and watch your money work and your community grow. Your participation is about so much more than just economics. It’s about positivity and kindness, families and community, and support for our local businesses in this tough time.