A recent article in Business Week highlighted some of Charleston’s local businesses and supporters of buying local. According to the article, 130 cities or regions now have “buy local” groups, which represent about 30,000 businesses.

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) and their 325 business members are also mentioned in this article, as well as Croghan’s Jewel Box. Efforts mentioned in the article like the 10% Shift have been undertaken in Charleston by LLF. Buying local has numerous benefits like boosting the local economy and providing jobs to local residents. When it comes to food, I believe there’s nothing better than a locally owned restaurant that serves local food (it really does taste better!).

Here’s an except from the article:

Shoppers such as Lauren and Skip Schumann of Charleston, S.C., have taken to heart the movement’s pleas to buy within their town, or at least within their state, before searching elsewhere. The couple bought their wedding rings at Croghan’s Jewel Box, a fixture on Charleston’s King Street. They won’t eat at chain restaurants. Lauren is shopping for a home security system, and only locally owned companies need apply. Charleston is still a small town, she says: “If one store closes, everybody knows it. It’s kind of a doomsday feel.”

www.croghansjewelbox.com