Why Buy Local?

RESTART CBD is locally-owned by two sisters, Shayda and Sydney Torabi,  who were also born and raised in Austin, Texas.

We believe strongly that locally-owned, independent businesses are the backbone of Austin’s unique culture and the foundation of our local economy.

Local independent businesses give back to our community.
We are collectively the largest donors to local nonprofits. From hosting community events to embracing a more sustainable environment, we are part of the core of this fabulous place we call Austin.

Several studies have shown that money spent at a locally owned business stays in the local economy and strengthens the economic base of the community. A 2003 case study in Austin, Texas, showed that local merchants generate substantially greater economic impact than chain retailers.

There are other benefits to buying local as well. Small, locally-based businesses make vital contributions to communities and neighborhoods:

• Buying local accounts for the largest share of net new jobs generated each year.
• Local businesses provide some of the most stable employment opportunities in a community.
• Small local businesses tend to have less negative impact on the environment, because often they are located in central business districts or in other existing retail areas, require comparatively little infrastructure investment and can make more efficient use of public services.
• Perhaps just as important, today’s entrepreneurs and creative workers are attracted to the kinds of places that value and preserve their local culture and distinctive character.
• “Buying local” from local farms also preserves local farm economy, keeps farmland in use, and provides the freshest, healthiest food to local consumers, as well.
• Local businesses not only pay their employees, they also spend money at other local businesses.  That means when you buy local, you help create jobs for your friends and neighbors, contribute to improved public infrastructure, and invest in your community both socially and economically.

The private research firm Civic Economics executed the bulk of studies attempting to quantify the difference in local economic return between local independents and chain businesses. Their first such study (pdf), for the city of Austin, Texas showed an independent bookseller (Book People) and music seller (Waterloo Records) returned more than three times as much money to the local economy as a proposed Borders Books and Music outlet would.*

Those results since have been mirrored by subsequent studies (ten summarized here), each showing a much greater local multiplier for spending at independent businesses than chains. These studies measured the direct and indirect impacts to determine the base level local economic activity of a purchase made at a chain and a local independent business.

On average, 48 percent of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally, compared to less than 14 percent of purchases at chain stores.

We believe that locally owned businesses run by people who care about our community are the foundation of a healthy local economy, not by creating commerce over people but by creating commerce with people.

We believe that local business is more than the exchange of money for goods and services. It is the action of needs being fulfilled, of human to human interaction. The “hello, how are you doing?” from a clerk, the smile from a waiter or a warm greeting from your favorite barista give us connectivity and a sense of place. Yes, I do need a cup of coffee. But I also need your smile, the chatter of other customers, the scent of warm pastries.

Shift 10% to Local