Buy Local Scarborough
P.O. Box 1193
Scarborough, ME 04070
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Buy Local Seeks Growth in the Market
Posted by Scarborough Leader Editor at 1/19/2012 11:00 AM
Categories: uncategorized
By Michael KelleyStaff Writer
There is no shortage of businesses in Scarborough, but one group of business owners is arguing that buying goods and services at locally owned businesses is the way to go.
Scarborough Buy Local has worked the past two years to get the word out that buying from local businesses is a way to support friends and neighbors and stimulate the local economy.
“Right now we have close to 140 members,” said Dick Boardman, chairman of the Buy Local Board of Directors. “You look at Scarborough and there are probably another 600 to 700 businesses out there that we haven’t reached out to. We are looking at ways to get the word out to those businesses.”
To help spread the word about Buy Local, Boardman said the group’s board is looking for individuals interested in leading or participating on one of several newly formed committees, including the membership committee, special events committee, social media committee, education-research committee and finance committee.
He said part of the role of the research-education committee is to reach out to other Buy Local campaigns to see what works or doesn’t work for them. Boardman said he has been in contact with the South Portland Buy Local group to see how that group operates. South Portland Buy Local was started in February 2010 and includes more than 170 businesses.
This month, Boardman said Buy Local reached out to Southern Maine Agency on Aging — a member of Buy Local — to solicit volunteers from its Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
Boardman said individuals interested in joining the Scarborough Buy Local effort do not need to own a business in town, but do need to be part of the Scarborough community.
“I think it is important to have these people live in Scarborough,” he said. “The essence of Buy Local is to make our community self-sufficient by supporting and promoting our small businesses.”
The buy local effort was started in Scarborough in 2009 through the help of Town Councilor Karen D’Andrea as a way to keep money from leaving the community.
According to the group’s website, www.buylocalscarborough.org, for every $100 spent at a locally owned and operated business, $45 stays in the community. On the other hand, for every $100 spent at a chain or franchised store, only $14 remains in the community.
“Buy Local is not against big box stores. Everybody’s got their place,” said D’Andrea. “The benefit of Buy Local is keeping money local. With big box stores more money leaves the area than stays in the area. With Buy Local, you are supporting your neighbor, you are supporting your family member.”
Russell Burleigh, who owns Brown Fox Printing and serves as secretary of the board of directors, said by shopping locally people can often get better service for a better price.
“Through Buy Local people are realizing they can go to small, individual, non-franchised businesses and get better prices and better services,” he said.
Boardman said the hope with the Buy Local campaign is also to keep jobs in the area.
“It fosters job creation,” he said. “The more businesses we have in town, the more folks will be hired who will live in town, shop in town and pay taxes in town.”
D’Andrea, who is no longer involved with the group but still supports its efforts, said joining the Buy Local campaign helps businesses get exposure in the community, something that perhaps wouldn’t be possible otherwise.
“One of the benefits of Buy Local is branding,” D’Andrea said. “Big box stores don’t need help with that, they can afford it. Branding and advertising is one expense that is always difficult for small businesses, especially when the economy is poor.”
Boardman said there are several ways businesses are advertised through Buy Local. One way, he said, is through the group’s online presence on its website and Facebook. Another way is through regular e-mail blasts that highlight a particular business.
Buy Local members are also featured in a printed guide that includes all of its members, as well as a 40-word write-up of each business. The printed guides are available in the town library, municipal offices and at local businesses.
Burleigh said another way the Buy Local group, and its businesses, is getting exposure is through social events held every other month.
The next event will be held in February at Zone III Fitness on Route 1 near the Scarborough-South Portland border.
“This is an opportunity for people to come out, visit someone who is a member and see their storefront and see how they operate,” Burleigh said of the social events. “It’s a way for everyone to get better acquainted. That has been very effective and we have had some good turnouts.”
To be eligible for inclusion in Buy Local, Boardman said the business must be privately held, located in Scarborough, have no more than 15 outlets, have owners who live within 75 miles, be registered as a Maine corporation and have owners who have full decision-making power.
A nonprofit can join the group if it is registered and operates in Scarborough, has a valid 501c3 or fiscal sponsor and its board of directors has full decision-making power. Individuals can also join Buy Local.
D’Andrea said it is the local businesses that give Scarborough its character.
Chain stores or franchised stores, D’Andrea said, are “a dime a dozen.” If a store like Wal-Mart closes, there is another one a short drive away, she said.
This, however, is not the same for local businesses.
“Our local businesses are unique,” she said. “If they go, there is nothing to replace them.”
Staff Writer Michael Kelley can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.
