Howard, I couldn't agree more. Just speaking for myself, I find that sometimes the local stores may carry something not available at a box store. The customer service is almost always better and more knowledgable about the product. I admit I should spend less at the box stores then I do now and I thank you for the reminder. Certain things are a must I think. I we always have the greataest memory of taking both my kids to Adam Miller for their first bikes. To watch them try different bikes and pick the "coolest one ever!!". Then to see the care taken to adjust the bike just right, fitting a helmet and testing, testing and re-testing the bell. I couldn't have bought a bike at a box store and have that memory for life. As I'll never forget my dad taking me to Rolling Hills diner in Alexander for cocoa (and a mountain of whipped cream) when I couldn't even get on the stool by myself. My son and I have Settlers. It's excactly the reason I chose to raise my family here. Growing up my dad said the little things will always end up being the biggest. I now know what he meant. I'll always gladly pay for something priceless.

Shopping locally keeps your sales tax dollars in Genesee County. We are one of only a handfull of counties in the state that did not see a drop in sales tax receipts. This keeps City, Town, Village and County property taxes down. Sales tax pays for services that everyone uses and everyone pays it, not just property owners.
My wife's general rule of thumb is this: first try to buy it in LeRoy, then Batavia and other parts of Genesee County (she seems to spend quite a bit of time in the west side of Batavia these days, that Target store is killing me!), if all else fails, then Henrietta.
Great service is provided by local merchants and their profits and the sales tax stay here.

I like to support the small Mom and Pop type businesses whenever I can. If you have never been to Present Tense Books and Gifts in Batavia on Washington Avenue - it's well worth the trip. She has a wide variety of books and very unique gifts and she can order any books for you that she doesn't have. Does anyone else have a favorite local store I should visit?

Howard, here are two great websites.

http://www.amiba.net/Unchained.html

http://buylocalday.org/

I admit that I too fall into the convenience of shopping the "big box" and chain stores. It takes a little more energy and time to scope out all the locally owned businesses. This past Christmas, I made a conscious effort to buy a percentage of my gifts from locally owned merchants and stayed in Genesee County for most of my purchases. One of the neat places that I discovered is that really cool store on Harvester that sells the stuff from around the world. I think it's local.

Maybe an organized "buy local day" with a directory would get everyone thinking and hopefully making the choice to spend a percentage of our purchasing dollars at locally owned establishments to keep those dollars here in Genesee County instead of sending our money off to far away places like Bentonville, Arkansas. I remember reading about Ithaca’s innovative local currency a few years back and just googled it again. It’s an interesting concept -- http://www.ithacahours.org/

We have a few treasures left -- like Adam Miller's and Present Tense. Our locally owned restaurants are far more superior to any chain. We have some great farm markets across the area during harvest time, which allows us the choice of purchasing our food whole, fresh, and where we live. We also have some locally owned service businesses that are excellent. It's an entire mindset that needs to be encouraged and marketed sooner rather than later so we can avoid watching the last of our local businesses close their doors.

LeRoy's Leader Group is doing some great things in my hometown to encourage and support locally owned businesses and promote community.

Try purchasing a white dress shirt at local mens store $52.00 plus tax.Sometimes getting what you pay for is a little off the page. I do shop locally when ever the need presents itself, but in some cases price rules.

Lorie: One local Batavia business which immediately popped into mind is South Main Country Gifts at 3356 South Main St. Rd. Julie Sputore, owner of the business, even has a Facebook page for fans of her store. On it she states: Over 2,000 sq. ft. of gifts-Bridgewater, Warm Glow, Adirondack, Moosberry & Crossroad candles, Willow Tree, Gourmet Foods, Amish Furniture, Melissa & Doug, Russ, TY, New York Yankees, Buffalo Bills & Sabres and other gifts & collectibles.
Phone (585)345-1616
Hours
Monday-Friday CLOSED
Saturday-Sunday 11am-6pm
Other times by appointment

I don't personally know Julie, but my family has spent a good many hours and dollars perusing all of the great finds at South Main Country Gifts.

Thanks for the great info, Kelly. I will definitely check it out.

I won't see Alex until Monday. Congratulate him for me on his trophy! My husband was a scout leader for years. We loved the pinewood derby.

Nice call Beth. My daughter loves that book store. She even won a poetry contest there. Luckily she got a love of books from her mother. Between the bookstores and the libraries she she has hardly anytime left over for video games(darn!). They always have fun parties and interesting features through out the year. If you haven't been there you need to check it out.

In fact Howard or Philip. I know you've been covering the Holland Land Office's top 25 things that made Genesee County famous. How about a once a week feature on local businesses that go by years in business. Say, businesses that have been here 75-100 years, then 50-75 and so on. How many people knew that until its recent sale, Hawley Dodge was the oldest family owned Dodge dealer in the U.S.? I've been around here my whole life and still learn things about this area every day. How many people have been here less then 20 years, 10 or even 5 that could benefit from a weekly feature like that? I'd be willing to bet you would hardly have to do any research. I'll bet if you just asked your readers to submit the names of businesses they know have been here for years you will have a long list of potential interviews in no time. I'll start with a few; Falcone Electric here in Batavia; Sunnyside Cycle in Alexander; The Pok-a-Dot, Miss Batavia or Sport of Kings diners. What do you think? I'm sure a bunch of people would be more than happy to support local businesses but may not know they exist. It could also beneifit you. If some businesses see new sales because you featured them, they might pay back with advertising in the future.