Image from Ithicahours.com
Have you ever wondered what the real difference between shopping at the small, local store and the large multinational corporation made on your community? In an article in March 1st’s issue of Business Week, Kimberly Weisul puts some numbers to the effects of buying local, and the resulting increase in the number of local-only business networks. There has been a growing trend in supporting local businesses, from the corner coffee shop to bookstores and markets, hoping that by spending their money there that more would stay with in the community. Research done by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Civic Economics has found that for every $100 spent at a local business, $45 stays in the local economy, as opposed to $13 spent at a national chain. Part of the reason for this is that national chain tend to purchase goods centrally in bulk, while local businesses tend to source goods from other local or in state vendors. These independent business also create more local jobs and an overall stronger economic impact to the region. The article cites the estimated effect on Grand Rapids, Michigan if 10% of business shifted to local stores from chains, an increase of 1,600 jobs, 53 million increase in payroll, and 140 million in overall regional economic impact. This is a growing national movement, and the number of “Buy Local” groups and business associations has grown from 41 in 2006 to 130 in 2009, and currently represent over 30,000 businesses. This is not a new idea (you may recognize the Ithaca Hours note at the top of the page, a local currency established in 1991), but seems to be rapidly increasing in popularity.
In many ways, this may be the backlash of the national and multinational corporate chain spread during the 1990s, and people are now starting to fully realize the effect that loosing independent businesses had on the local economy. Part of the power of deconstruction is that it is an inherently local business, dealing with the houses and buildings of communities, providing jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses. It also acts as an alternative for getting materials for construction or building, instead of having to rely on the big box stores. It can also keep the history of a community local, where heritage can be built into new construction, so that the regional story is not lost.
Reclaimed Wood and Rebar Nesting Tables
One of the last places you may think of when it comes to deconstruction and reclaimed materials is Hawaii, but with these Nesting Tables by Wuttke Werks and so’mace lifestyle, and Re-use Hawai’i we reported about last month, it seems like the island has a vibrant culture of reuse. These Nesting Tables are made of reclaimed, whitewashed Douglas Fir set on a recycled rebar frame. The tables were designed and made by Wuttke Werks, in collaboration with so’mace lifestyle and design, which is also where the tables are currently featured for sale. Both companies are located on the island of Honolulu, and use the location as a point of inspiration.
Wuttke Werks is a small furniture design shop which specializes in using reclaimed wood and other materials. They have a beautiful range of designs, from clean and modern, to more rustic, weathered looking pieces.
Via Design*Sponge