What Shop Local Means and Why It Matters

How to Support Makers, Strengthen Communities, and Buy with Purpose

In a world full of big-box stores and two-day shipping, it can be easy to forget the powerful impact of shopping local. But behind every handcrafted mug, artisan necklace, or small-batch spice blend is a real person with a story, a skill, and a dream. Supporting locally-owned businesses is more than a nice idea, it's a meaningful way to foster economic resilience, environmental responsibility, and a strong sense of community.

So what does it really mean to shop local? Why does it matter? And how can you support small and independent businesses in your everyday life?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Does Shop Local Mean?

Shopping local means choosing to support independently-owned businesses that are rooted in your community, whether you're purchasing in-person or online. It goes beyond geography to emphasize a connection: buying goods and services from people who live, work, and reinvest in the same region you do.

Many of these businesses are family-run, artist-owned, or woman- and minority-owned. But no matter who owns the business, they have a dream.

At The Handmade Showroom in downtown Seattle, our store represents over 260 independent makers from across the U.S., including many from the Pacific Northwest. Each of them designs and creates their own products by hand, offering everything from jewelry and toys to housewares and sustainable kitchen goods.

The "Buy Local" movement grew out of a desire to keep money circulating within communities, reduce reliance on mass production, and preserve the unique character of neighborhoods. It also aligns closely with "shop small" or "independent" campaigns which encourage support for small businesses that fuel the American economy.

And that is exactly what you are doing when you support small, independent, local businesses. You are fueling our economy in one of the most impactful ways.

Why Shopping Local Small Businesses Matters

Economic Benefits

When you shop local, your dollars go further. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in the community—compared to just $43 when spent at a national chain.

That extra $25 helps pay local wages, fund neighborhood services, and create ripple effects that strengthen your local economy.

"Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the local economy than chain competitors."

AMIBA: The Multiplier Effect

Small businesses are also key job creators.

In the United States, up to 90% of new jobs are generated by locally-owned businesses. When you support shops like The Handmade Showroom, you’re not only backing our team of helpers, you're also supporting the 260+ artists whose work we showcase. Many of these makers run their own small studios or family businesses, and your purchase helps sustain their livelihoods.

Minority-owned and woman-owned businesses play an essential role in job creation and economic inclusion. According to the 2023 Annual Business Survey, minority-owned businesses account for 22.6% of U.S. employer firms, approximately 1.3 million out of 5.9 million firms.

And that same survey reveals that women-owned businesses employ over 10 million people nationwide. 

As a woman- and minority-owned business ourselves, The Handmade Showroom is proud to be part of this growing network of diverse entrepreneurs who are reshaping the economy with creativity, innovation, and heart.

Environmental Benefits

Shopping local isn't just good for people, it's also good for the planet.

Local businesses often source, package, and ship their products in more sustainable ways. Many of our artists use minimal or plastic-free packaging, and some even incorporate reclaimed materials into their designs. We're also delighted that some of our local artists hand-deliver goods, increasing community connections when our artists arrive in the store.

At The Handmade Showroom, we proudly carry artists who rescue materials from the waste stream, such as reclaimed leather, salvaged wood, and up-cycled textiles, and transform them into beautiful, functional art.

For more about how these products reduce environmental impact, check out our recent blog post: Discover Unique Up-Cycled Art and Accessories.

Communities with more local businesses tend to produce less air pollution, less traffic congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions because goods don’t need to travel as far. This reduces the overall carbon footprint of each purchase.

Community Impacts of Buying Local

When you support a locally-owned business, you're also supporting the heartbeat of your neighborhood. Local stores often sponsor little league teams, donate to nonprofit fundraisers, and serve as gathering spaces for community events, like our monthly coloring night.

In fact, small businesses donate 2.5 times more to local causes than national chains do.

They also help define a city's character. Think about the places you love to visit. Chances are, they have charming, independently-owned shops that reflect the personality and creativity of the area. Seattle is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, and local businesses are at the heart of that vibrancy.

Independent shops infuse neighborhoods with personality in ways that national chains simply can’t. Picture strolling down a pedestrian-friendly street or shopping center lined with quirky boutiques, cozy cafés, and artisan storefronts. Hand-painted signs, warm lighting, and thoughtful displays create a welcoming, human-scale environment that feels deeply personal. These visual cues invite you to slow down, explore, and connect.

That charm isn’t just aesthetic.

Studies show that areas dense with local businesses attract more foot traffic, encourage longer visits, and increase neighborhood spending. Local spending also recirculates nearly three times more money in the community than dollars spent at national chains. As foot traffic grows, municipalities often invest in improvements like wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and green spaces; enhancing the appeal and walkability of the entire neighborhood.

And most importantly, these spaces foster human connection. You recognize the barista, chat with the shop owner, or discover a handcrafted gift that speaks to you personally. These interactions transform neighborhoods into communities.

Stores like The Handmade Showroom contribute to Seattle's reputation as a hub for thoughtful, high-quality craftsmanship. Our team of helpers is trained to share artist stories, offer personalized recommendations, and provide complimentary gift wrapping to make every visit feel special.

How to Shop Small and Local: A Practical Guide

Looking to incorporate more local shopping into your routine? Here are a few easy ways to get started:

• Explore curated retail spaces that prioritize handmade and local goods.

• Buy directly from artists at pop-ups, makers markets, and holiday fairs.

• Seek out gift guides or shop directories that highlight local businesses.

• Look for transparency in product labels about where and how items are made.

• Shop online from local retailers who ship nationwide.

In Seattle, several excellent directories make it easier to support local, women-owned, and BIPOC-owned businesses:

• Intentionalist: A directory that lets you search by ownership identity (e.g., women-, LGBTQ-, or BIPOC-owned) and business category.

• Seattle Made: A network of makers and manufacturers who produce goods in Seattle.

• The Seattle Good Business Network: Promotes local, sustainable, and community-minded businesses.

Meet the Makers: Why Handmade Matters

When you shop at a locally-owned handmade gift store, you support more than just a storefront, you become part of a network of makers and dreamers. Every item you purchase carries the story of someone who designed, refined, and brought that product to life.

Handmade goods are crafted with care, often in small batches. They reflect time-honored skills, personal attention to detail, and a level of quality that mass-produced items simply can’t match.

At The Handmade Showroom in Seattle, we get to know our artists personally. We choose each item we carry based on craftsmanship, originality, and alignment with our mission to elevate handmade. Whether it's a hand-poured soy candle, a quirky wall clock, or a hand-stitched bag, every item in our shop is a testament to skill, creativity, and independent spirit.

The Handmade Showroom: A Local Love Letter to Craftsmanship

Founded in 2015 as a pop-up shop with 35 local artists, The Handmade Showroom has grown into a 4,000-square-foot retail space in downtown Seattle at Pacific Place Shopping Center. Today, we represent over 260 artists from across the United States—about half from the Pacific Northwest—who each design and create their work by hand.

Our store is more than just a place to shop. It's a space where art meets function, where gifts come with a story, and where every purchase uplifts a network of independent businesses. As a woman- and minority-owned store, we’re proud to support the many diverse voices shaping the future of American craft.

When you visit us in person or browse our online collection, you're joining a movement to support sustainable shopping, local economies, and handmade excellence.

Conclusion: Why Your Choice Matters

In every city, behind every handmade item, and in every small shop window, there are people pouring their hearts into their work. Choosing to shop local is one of the most impactful ways to create a ripple effect of good: for the environment, for your neighbors, and for artists who rely on your support.

Whether you’re buying a gift, treating yourself, or browsing for inspiration, know that your purchase has purpose. Thank you for supporting independent artists and small businesses. And thank you for helping us #ElevateHandmade.