Published May 19, 2023 in Katy Trail Weekly
Shop locally.
That is a mantra that I have been reciting for years. The hypothesis of shopping locally does not only apply when looking for a high-quality Design-Build-Remodel professional. As a home remodeling specialist, we see each other in the supermarket, in restaurants, at the movies, at our kids’ schools or at church. We are not going to jeopardize relationships by offering anything less than best practices.
The concept also applies to trading with local hardware stores, paint stores, garden supply providers, lighting specialists, lumber yards and other stores or services that are locally owned and operated. A recent report made me remember the importance of the local community store, not that my belief in local merchants has ever wavered.
A national big box home supply retailer reported a first-quarter loss of 4.2 percent, after experiencing quarters of huge pandemic-fueled gains. I am neither poking fun at the big retailer’s bad financial news nor criticizing them for providing inferior products or services. It is just a reminder that the industry as a whole face many challenges and that local retailers are always vulnerable in market declines.