The Sweetest Time to Shop Local

When is the BEST time to shop local? Is it back-to-school time? Mother’s Day? November and December? There’s an entire holiday the Saturday after Thanksgiving centered around supporting small businesses and turning the focus of the busy holiday shopping season to local retailers. These are all good times, but the best time to shop local is ANY time.

Think about shopping local as a muscle that needs to be continually flexed. It’s a change in mindset, like a new behavior that needs to be repeated several times to create a habit. If you do it often enough it will become natural for your first thought to be visiting your area’s local businesses when you need shoes, clothing, sporting goods, gifts or a great meal.

Our small businesses are fighting every day to compete and stay relevant when big box stores move in or goods and services are just a click away. As an economic development organization, in our area it’s important that we help establish the “why” of shopping local and provide opportunities for residents and visitors to flex their shop local muscle.

Why Shop Local?

In Marion, and every community across the state, there are amazing small businesses waiting to be discovered. They may be located on main streets, just outside of town or in newer mixed-use buildings. They are the face of the community. They are owned by our family, neighbors, parents of our children’s friends or the children or grandchildren of our friends. They are investing in the community they live in. Why wouldn’t you want to support them?

Local shopping helps strengthen our local economy. When money is spent at a local business, a significant portion of it stays within the community creating a multiplier effect. A local retailer likely uses other local businesses for goods and services needed to operate. For every $100 spent, approximately $68 stays local. Small businesses are also employers providing jobs to residents and fostering economic stability.

There is also something about getting to know local business owners. Knowing that the place you service your vehicle or purchase your insurance through is a third-generation owned business gives meaning to mundane transactions. Small businesses are also more likely to be involved in the community, sponsoring local events and supporting local teams and nonprofit organizations. They are reinvesting in the community and adding to its vibrancy.

Setting The Stage

The most successful small businesses have figured out that offering a personal touch and an experience while shopping gives them an edge. SCOUT of Marion is on point when it comes to creating an atmosphere that keeps customers returning. Owner Nikki Kettelkamp spent 15 years as a key account manager for Chanel where she learned about luxury goods and gained a firm understanding of how putting an emphasis on service and experiences creates customer loyalty. At SCOUT she has curated an aesthetically pleasing selection of home goods, personal care products, gourmet pantry items, books and gift-giving items.

The staff shares the same passion Kettelkamp does. They know each product, how to use it and what pairs well together. They make shopping easy through authentic conversations the moment someone walks in the door. Purchases, large or small, are placed in the same packaging that doesn’t require any additional wrapping for gift giving. When you see the brown bag with black handles you know exactly where it came from.

Taking advantage of location to create atmosphere can add to the customer experience as well. Frydae Street Fries + Ice Cream is tucked behind a larger historic building in Uptown Marion. It’s situated right along Marion’s Uptown Artway, an alley that was transformed into a gathering space. This gave owners Jamie and Kelise Hoth the ability to add a rear exit for customers to make use of patio tables and be part of events in the Artway while dining.

At Frydae, Hoth has created a fun, community-loving hub that has customers wanting to share their experience on social media. When you walk through the door you are greeted by a large faux plant wall that takes center stage for photos — not only for products, but customers wanting to share their decadent treats through social networks. Kids in homecoming and prom dresses stop by for a snap before heading to their dance. Beyond that is a shop full of good vibes and one of the largest community bulletin boards in the area. It’s spilling with happenings in the community, business cards, artwork, and general fun. When you couple an ever-changing menu of the hottest fries and loaded shakes along with Hoth’s witty Instagram posts you can see why this has added up to travel and food blog writers visiting this unique stop.

Creating Connections Between Shoppers and Local Retailers

SCOUT of Marion opened in May of 2018 and Frydae in June of 2021. Both Kettlekamp and Hoth will tell you they see visitors daily who are discovering their business for the first time. This includes folks visiting from surrounding areas and Marion residents. Building awareness of local small businesses and helping to grow their customer base is where our organizations can help make a difference.

Most chambers of commerce, Iowa Main Street organizations and other economic development organizations have an arm that plans events. On the outside these may look like fun concerts, farmers markets or bus crawls that are adding to the quality of life for residents. On the inside what is really happening are multiple opportunities for people to gather, spend time in your community, discover a new business and yes, spend money at your restaurants and retailers! Not only do events add to a thriving community they are economic drivers for small businesses.

Take the local farmers’ market for example. It is giving entrepreneurs an opportunity to test the waters on something they make, bake or create. At the Uptown Marion Market we have seen a local baker, coffee roaster and clothing designer grow a following that has allowed each of them to open a brick-and-mortar location. This is the kind of success that keeps organizations like ours motivated and continually providing these chances to connect our community.

Throw In Some Sweetness

Fall is right around the corner and one of our favorite times of year in Marion. The last farmers’ market wraps up, school is back in session and the anticipation for Marion’s annual Chocolate Walk & Shop begins to build. What could be more delightful than shopping and chocolate? Adding a fall evening in Uptown Marion!

It’s become a favorite for attendees and businesses alike. The Chocolate Walk & Shop is a retail event that takes place the first Friday of October each year. It blends shopping and entertainment with chocolate. The event is unique because it gives the community an opportunity to experience shopping in the evening, when most retailers are normally closed. Traditionally the event was held from 8 – 10:30 p.m., but over its 20-year history the time has changed to 6 – 9 p.m. to encourage shoppers to dine (or wine) at local restaurants and bars. Attend on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024!

Shoppers are invited to grab a friend and stroll through Uptown Marion visiting their favorite spot or discovering a new one. Each participating business offers a sweet chocolate treat at their door or with purchase and is listed on an event map with multiple suggested starting points. Street performers are located throughout the area and include acoustic artists, pianists and street magic. The ambiance is made even more amazing with the lighting of fire tables that also serve as a warming spot on a crisp fall night. Watch a video featuring the Marion Chamber's Chocolate Walk & Shop event.

This event is all about offering an exciting atmosphere that attendees don’t get to experience every day. Bringing people together, allowing them to create memories and exposing them to our local businesses. If it’s done the right way and often enough, the community’s shop local muscle will be stronger than ever!

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses, including Chamber luncheons, roundtables and ribbon cuttings. You can also find live music happening each week thanks to the “Live Music This Week in DSM” blog series.