Black Friday brings ethical concerns with an option: shop local!
Local businesses allow shoppers to take advantage of sales while contributing to the local economy.
As the holiday season begins it is time to rekindle the discussion of ethical consumption. Black Friday is a terrific opportunity to stock up for the coming year while taking advantage of reduced prices, making it a peak day for Christmas shopping.
Consumeristic extremism is widely known to be unsustainable. Of course alternatives like minimalism, slow living, and zero waste exist, but they are not without their own problems. And if someone needs to go Christmas shopping, why shouldn’t they take advantage of the sales? The answer is simple: they can and should if they buy from the right people.
The true winners on Black Friday are not the consumers who scored on a major deal, but the corporate companies who use significant discounts to choke out smaller competition and local businesses. Shoppers can combat the corporate epidemic by supporting local entrepreneurs.
Below is a list of local Newton businesses to shop at for gifts this Black Friday weekend.
Norm’s Coffee Bar
Norm’s is a local coffee shop and a staple meeting place for Newton residents. “Norm's is owned by a non-profit with a passion for connecting and supporting the community,” says Norm’s Director Ashleign Lakey. In alignment with this mission, Norm’s offers a wide variety of local art products available to purchase.
Book Reviews
This tucked-away gem is a great affordable place to purchase vintage and used books. That makes it an ideal gift shopping Newton destination for your bookworm friends.
Et Cetera Shop
Thrift stores are the perfect place to shop sustainably. By purchasing an item second hand, people can prevent landfill build-up. Of course Et Cetera offers clothing selections, but they also have some products made on sight. Most well known among these items are their hand-loomed rugs. “Made from recycled materials donated by our wonderful community, these rugs are unique and one of a kind” according to Et Cetera’s website. “Every color in these rugs are hand picked by our amazing volunteers that have an eye for color.”
Carriage Factory Art Gallery
If someone is looking for a beautiful painting, some high quality ceramics, or a piece of handcrafted jewelry, The Carriage Factory Art Gallery is the place to go. “In addition to rotating exhibits that feature regional art for sale, the gallery includes a consignment sales gallery of local artists, a gift shop, and a collection of paintings for sale by Albert H. Krehbiel,” according to the gallery’s website.
Prairie Harvest
Local groceries, cards, ice cream, flowers, and much more are available at Prairie Market and Deli. This small business has an admirable mission of sustainability. It is a perfect place for everyday needs or ethical care baskets.
Whether a person is shopping for groceries, art, or gifts, they need look no further than their own community. Local businesses need the support of their neighbors to survive. Now more than ever it is time for consumers to jump off the corporate conveyor belt and explore the opportunities in their backyard.