Buying local in Downtown New Albany is supporting yourself too - Recent studies show that when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than a nationally-owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community

Support community groups - Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, events, and teams compared to big businesses.

Keep our community unique - Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community have a sense of identity. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of downtown New Albany.

Reduce environmental impact - Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation, and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.

Create more good jobs - Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in New Albany, provide the most jobs to residents.

Get Superior Service - Local businesses often hire people with a better attitude and understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.

Invest in community - Local businesses are owned by people who live in our community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

Put your Taxes to good use - You don't read about local businesses in downtown New Albany demanding Tax Incentives to come to town and generally require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to big box stores.

Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy - A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers guarantees a much broader range of product choices.

Encourage local prosperity - A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. 

There can only be so many McDonald's, CVS,  Home Depots and Starbucks in the world after all.