Falmouth wants YOU to be local!

“Shop local” no longer means shop local; it means be local. Part of being a local is being an active member of your community. You should know the name of the guy who recommended your now favorite can’t-live-without pair of sunglasses (Chris from Sia Optics) and have a favorite quirky menu item from the local Mexican joint that makes your knees weak (the ‘Main’ street corn from Añejos). Shopping small is the biggest mindset out there, and we want to tell you why.

Local independent businesses spend proportionately more money on local charities, schools, and community events than national chains do. So next time you drive by the local tee-ball team know that your breakfast at Country Faire may have helped pay for their adorably tiny hats. In fact, feel free to roll down your window and shout “you’re welcome!” – don’t mind the confused stares, they’ll know what you mean.

Ever wanted to summon your inner Donald Trump and tell someone “you’re fired!”? Well, please don’t do that downtown. But take pleasure in knowing that although you’re not technically in charge of the hiring and firing, it’s your dollars spent that enable our beloved downtown merchants to hire and train their amazing staff (many of whom are community members).

More money, more problems. That should be the theme song for big box chains. Combine the years you lose off your life trying to find a parking spot in the same zip code with the sense of rage and isolation (rageolation?) you’ll inevitably feel when you’re lost in the intentional maze of over priced office lamps and unnecessarily expansive bargain bin of bad DVDs and you’ll realize that maybe just because you can buy a 36 pack of bicycle tires, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Shopping big box will lead you to spend way more money than you set out to (and the money is not pumped back into the community) and cause a headache you don’t need. And also, where do you plan to store all of those tires?

Keep Falmouth Weird. Okay, maybe Portland beat us to that slogan, but we can still work together to keep Falmouth funky? The wording’s not important. We all love Falmouth because of the individuality of its parts. Where else can you find wine sold with humor and conversation rather than pretention and snobbery? Where can you get a perfectly pickle-y bloody Mary if not at the Pickle Jar? And where, pray tell do you suppose you could be shown to your table by the most adorable 8 year old in a tie you’ve ever seen other than at Bear in Boots? Learn the quirks.

Go Green! Sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s our job as cognizant beings to not only care about our environment, but to do for our environment. Every time you park and walk from lunch at Pies A La Mode to lunch-dessert (it’s a thing) at Ghelfi’s you’re not only burning calories, you’re giving the environment a little break. Committing to keeping your driving local takes a huge strain off the environment. Take 5 Mother Nature, we got this.

Customers matter to local businesses. Like, really matter. Try going into a big box book store with a remedial charades clue of a book title: “Okay, I know it has two words and sounds like Dawn Swirl and it was made into a move starring someone married to one of the famous Jennifers” You’ll leave with no book, and a little less of your dignity. Try that at Eight Cousins, and you’ll not only end up with Gone Girl, but you’ll have a great laugh with the staffer and probably even get a recommendation or two for something else you’ll love.

Invest in your community. Dollars spent at local businesses have three times the impact on your community than those spent at chain stores. Every dollar spent is an investment in your local neighborhood, the creation of local jobs, and improving and promoting community development. Suggest your in-laws stay at The Captain’s Manor Inn (because you said you were fumigating that weekend right?) rather than a hotel chain and know that owners Kevin and Trish are active members of the Falmouth community who dedicate dollars and man-hours to making Falmouth a place we’re proud of.

Local shops are owned by locals. Go figure. These shop, restaurant, and B&B owners live locally, so they care about this town just like you do. Supporting their businesses helps them support this community. Every time we make a purchase, we make a choice. We invite you to not only “shop local” but be local. The village members depend on the residents, and the residents depend on the village members. We’ve got a good thing going Falmouth – let’s keep at it!