I guess you could call this my semi-annual diatribe about shopping at home and supporting local businesses. Maybe it is, and maybe it isn’t.

I know I have written about this issue before, but it is certainly worth repeating. Especially with the new ways of shopping we have in this world now.

This current idea of writing about shopping at home all started with a discussion of where the cheapest gas prices are in this area. I didn’t have a lot to add to the conversation. The reason is that I usually buy gas when my vehicle is low on gas. I often barely note the price, only because I needed to fill up because I was close to empty and I had places to go.

Often that gas fill happens in Blue Earth. I might note the price per gallon, or I probably won’t. I just know that I needed gas.

Even if I am traveling, and I need gas, I don’t start looking for the cheapest gas. I simply stop and gas up, and maybe I see the price and think, huh, that is lower than usual. Or that it is higher than usual.

This philosophy of mine, if you can call it that, is a bit true when it comes to all of my shopping. If I need something, I generally go get it at one of the local stores here in Blue Earth. I am not going to spend a lot of time making a trip out of town to go find something.

And I am pretty guilty of not doing a lot of shopping online. But I am aware that many folks do these days. Maybe it is actually how most people shop in this day and age.

In fact, the number one competitor to our local stores just might be Amazon Prime. In fact, it might be the biggest competitor for all brick and mortar stores. The number of packages being dropped off on front porches has become astounding.

Need something? It can be on your door step tomorrow. Or so folks think.

But, back to shopping locally. I have said it before, and I will say it again, I love shopping for groceries at Juba’s, for hardware (and a whole lot of everything else) at Breen’s, other stuff at Bomgaars, Dollar General, Dikken’s, Armon’s, Blue Earth Drug, and well, you get the idea.

We are blessed to have a lot of businesses in Blue Earth, as well as in some other towns in Faribault County.

I find that shopping in my local stores is fast, easy, fun, and besides, they know who you are. And, nine times out of 10, you are going to run into someone you know and have a nice little conversation.

At least, that is pretty much true for me anyway.

Here is an example of shopping at home.

A while back I needed a new recliner, because I had a new hip. And, the fact is, the old one was older than dirt and about to fall apart. So I went to The Blue House in Blue Earth, found exactly what I wanted and bought it. Could I have found one cheaper somewhere out of town? Perhaps. But I had this deal done in minutes, they gave me the crippled old man discount, and delivered it down the narrow stairs to my basement and hauled away my old broken down one at no extra charge.

Let’s see Amazon Prime do that. And besides, I love this new recliner.

It was totally slick and easy. And I supported a local business, which for me, has always been my goal, wherever I have lived.

That could be the slogan for shopping at home. It is pretty easy, and you are supporting a local business.

Why is that important, you ask?

Well, having a strong local business community helps keep a strong overall community. Businesses support the community in many ways, from paying local taxes, to being part of groups, organizations and projects.

Let me give you an example.

The Kiwanis Club is going out soliciting support for their annual Kiwanis/First Bank Blue Earth Academic Awards and Scholarship program, and the Lions Club is also going out seeking support for their annual Athletic Awards program, for Blue Earth Area High School. Both events are in May.

The clubs solicit support from some individuals, but most of it is from local businesses. And, it is amazing how just about every single business gives towards those two projects. In fact, I am not aware that there really is not a single business that turns them down.

It is amazing to see. Most of our local businesses are happy to support these two great programs for the youth of the community.

So, that is why I continue to urge everyone to shop at home, support the businesses in your community, and all other small-town businesses as well.

They appreciate your support. And you should appreciate their support of you and your community.

If you already are a hometown shopper, good for you. If not, give it a try and help support your town.

Call it a win-win, if you want.