By Mary Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville

Oct. 16, 2025: The best bargain in town is shopping in one’s hometown.

Now that the holiday season is fast approaching, I ask you to Think Local, Act Local, and Shop Local and I am giving you a reason for everyday in November to do so!

-Local merchants give the personal attention so lacking in the mail order business – the opportunity to touch, fit and feel is an important part of a intelligent purchase.

-The personal touch includes special orders, beautifully wrapped packages and often delivery to your front door and if the gift turns out not to be perfect, you need not stand in line at a postal service, rather gracefully hand to a shopkeeper for immediate refund or exchange.

-Local merchants buy parking permits, pay taxes, buy goods and food from their fellow merchants and use the services of local professionals including lawyers, accountants, computer consultants, and graphic designers.

-On the economic level, shopping local is a major driver of the financial health of a community. That is quite clear. Using Bronxville as an example, we received sales tax revenues of $1.787 million in the past year. A Village spending increase and/or revenue loss delta of just $100,000 raises the Village side of taxes by a full point. Without this tax revenue, taxes on the Village side of our bill in Bronxville last year would have been raised 17%!

The so called “savings” received by online shopping will eventually come home to roost in the form of higher local property taxes and/or a decrease in municipal services. In contrast, purchases made at the local level send money directly back to schools and local government and sends a message that you are investing in the future of your hometown and all that it adds to your quality of life.

-It has been conclusively proven that home values are directly related to the condition and vitality of one’s local business district. The nexus between the value of one’s home and local commerce is indisputable.

-Independent stores consistently beat the large big box competitors in overall customer satisfaction.

-Small stores offer a human connection, even foster friendships between merchant and customers which fulfills a basic human need.

-The environment is positively affected; people walk more, less gas is consumed and the air quality is improved.

-Even our personal health is enhanced as those who purchase goods on foot near their homes have less incidences of diabetes and obesity.

-Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local nonprofits as compared with big box or mail order companies.

-Research has proven that citizens are attracted, and often the more skilled workers and entrepreneurs, are more likely to settle in communities that preserve their unique and varied commercial character.

-Children are offered an appropriate degree of independence when allowed to walk to a small business district for school supplies or an afterschool treat.

-Local sidewalks are an important confluence of needed intergenerational connections as strollers share space with seniors and multigenerational discourse is fostered. Studies have proven that this type of human connection actually adds to longevity.

-Local businesses create local job opportunities as many students and parents who have a spare few hours work locally.

-There is no substitute for the coffee shop or bagel shop that knows your order. It is fun to live in a town where there is a “Cheers” like atmosphere.

-Shopping local is so much more than a feel good, “it’s worth paying for” mantra as researchers who study how money flows conclusively established a profound economic impact of keeping money local.

-A financial multiplier is generated by a small store recirculating money through their employees as well as area advertisers, attorneys, graphic artists, local printers, payroll services, donations to charities, accountants, restaurants, and fellow local suppliers of needed ancillary goods.

-Merchants are generous to a fault to our charities; look out for our children; often know exactly what we like to purchase and genuinely care about our families.

-Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local nonprofit events and teams than big companies. An unbelievable 91% of local businesses contribute to local charities and institutions, a staggering 200% more than chain stores or mail order operations. In the end, we must support our supporters.

-A downtown filled with empty stores severely affects the sales value of nearby homes. It’s just a fact.

-By buying items on the internet, we add 1 billion metric tons of CO2 per year to the environment through shipping which is further compounded by the cost of those Amazon boxes, which are so wasteful.

-Local communities also have the potential to be a “Blue Zone” – an area in the world where people live much longer than their neighboring countrymen with the key factor proven to be personal human interactions.

-Small businesses employ 47% of the nation’s private workforce and are the backbone of the US economy. They push economic growth by opening up employment opportunities locally for people who may not want to be employed in big businesses.

-Shopping closer to home decreases pollution, lessens congestion, and reduces traffic.

-The math for buying close to home is compelling – for every $100 spent at a local business, $73 remains in the local economy. Compare that to the same $100 spent at a non-locally owned business where only $43 remains in the local community.

-An in person shopping experience offers complete information and suggestions with a give-and-take versus online chats.

-When you want to return something, online sellers make it almost impossible to speak with a human and try arguing your point with AI.

-Shopping local offers the chance of meeting with friends and renewing acquaintances when you walk around town.

-There is no delivery delay when you pick it up yourself.

5. You are treated to beautiful window and decoration displays with serendipitous possibilities for finding that perfect gift.

So, if you want to live longer, stay healthier, protect your environment, create a welcoming atmosphere, maximize the value of your home and receive services and amenities that are unparalleled, think local and shop local. It is a win on every level.