Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

(03-26-2020 05:37 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1

Talked to son-in-law the other day. He is happy that his job is considered "essential". (It is also highly dangerous--he works on cell towers and does disaster relief.) Since he and my daughter have 5 kids currently at home, one being home from college for the foreseeable future, and all are teenagers, this was good news indeed. I do worry about him climbing though.

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 05:37 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1

What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

Supporting local businesses allows them a better chance of staying open. Brother's carryout for the cheesesteak special for me on Saturday night!

(03-27-2020 11:09 AM)LovethoseDukes Wrote:  Supporting local businesses allows them a better chance of staying open. Brother's carryout for the cheesesteak special for me on Saturday night!

Yeah I can understand a shift in the near term to favoring local business. My question, although not totally clear, is related to the continual push for "buy local."

There are a number of benefits to supporting small local business:
- they are less likely to survive, and employ a lot of people
- they provide some competition to those giant corporations that otherwise could raise prices unchecked
- they stock items that are sometimes unique or hard to find elsewhere.

A couple weeks back when this was starting I visited my local Ace specifically because they have some supplies I just can't find elsewhere with the same brands/quality.

Also hitting up a local BBQ/hamburger joint that was recently started here by an ex army chef for takeout. The food is amazing, and I want the guy to make it thru these times.

A gentle suggestion for those in the 'burg....please go to Bella Mia for Italian instead of Olive Garden. The food is better and MUCH more authentic. They make their own pasta and the sauces are amazing. They also have pizza and sandwiches. It is locally owned and open for takeout. Also Bella Luna downtown for pizza is good.

(03-27-2020 10:42 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 05:37 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1

What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

These local business owners are my neighbors. The people that work for them are my neighbors. WAWA will be selling gas forever Home Depot isn't going anywhere, these bigger businesses have capital to pay their people. They aren't laying off workers. Bob's service station can survive a few months at best, after that the owner closes the doors an takes a job at Amazon moving boxes. Or maybe he will get a second mortgage on his house to pay the shop's electric, insurance and keep people employed. Even before this virus thing, take a walk down Main Street of almost any small town, especially those that don't have a lot of public sector workers and you will get a good idea of small business vs. big business. Imagine Harrisonburg without JMU. The population of Harrisonburg shrunk by maybe 30% about 3 months sooner than anyone expected, therefore local business revenue is down. How many mom and pop places can't afford to stay open until next semester?

I guess some people have no clue the tight rope small business are walking.

(03-27-2020 12:26 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 10:42 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 05:37 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1

What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

These local business owners are my neighbors. The people that work for them are my neighbors. WAWA will be selling gas forever Home Depot isn't going anywhere, these bigger businesses have capital to pay their people. They aren't laying off workers. Bob's service station can survive a few months at best, after that the owner closes the doors an takes a job at Amazon moving boxes. Or maybe he will get a second mortgage on his house to pay the shop's electric, insurance and keep people employed. Even before this virus thing, take a walk down Main Street of almost any small town, especially those that don't have a lot of public sector workers and you will get a good idea of small business vs. big business. Imagine Harrisonburg without JMU. The population of Harrisonburg shrunk by maybe 30% about 3 months sooner than anyone expected, therefore local business revenue is down. How many mom and pop places can't afford to stay open until next semester?

I guess some people have no clue the tight rope small business are walking.

So is the Ace's Hardware on S. High Street local, since I chose to use that instead of Lowe's or Home Depot? When I lived in Arlington I only used Ayer's, Bill's, and Brown's (In Falls Church), all three have been neighborhood fixtures for years. Old time hardware stores giving good advice and do-it-yourself tutorials. My motivation was getting good advice without feeling like an idiot, avoiding those huge parking lots and traffic and to support local institutions. Ayer's was often the first employer of high school students looking for part-time work. They also had a great old fashioned candy and chewing gum section. I could get me some packs of BlackJack, Cloves and Beeman's. I miss that "you can walk to everything" neighborhood from the Arlington phase of my life. Currently I live in a "you can't walk to anything" community. Which is ok since there is really no place open that i can walk to. But the walk to nowhere is just fine and very scenic; I am happy just logging in the steps at home base. Folks are doing just that as there are more walkers than ever, people I have never seen before. I did not know we had so many dogs, making me think that these dogs were never being walked before, living in their electric invisible fenced yards behind their houses.

Ace's hardware stores are locally owned and operated. Its a local franchise model, and believe the local owners have some flexibility on items they stock and sell. The motto they use is "nationally known, locally owned"

The Fairfax/Arlington ones are owned by twin brothers, who named it "Twins Ace"
https://twinsacehardware.com/about-us/

(03-27-2020 02:02 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  Ace's hardware stores are locally owned and operated. Its a local franchise model, and believe the local owners have some flexibility on items they stock and sell. The motto they use is "nationally known, locally owned"

The Fairfax/Arlington ones are owned by twin brothers, who named it "Twins Ace"
https://twinsacehardware.com/about-us/

I wondered how I missed that Arlington Ace, then realized it's relatively new. I think it's a great location for all those condos and apts folks. It fills a need at that end of Arlington.

(03-27-2020 11:57 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  There are a number of benefits to supporting small local business:
- they are less likely to survive, and employ a lot of people
- they provide some competition to those giant corporations that otherwise could raise prices unchecked
- they stock items that are sometimes unique or hard to find elsewhere.

A couple weeks back when this was starting I visited my local Ace specifically because they have some supplies I just can't find elsewhere with the same brands/quality.

Also hitting up a local BBQ/hamburger joint that was recently started here by an ex army chef for takeout. The food is amazing, and I want the guy to make it thru these times.

- My local hardware store (Ayer's as jmuroadwarrior happened to mention) employees a fraction of the people that Home Depot employs around the corner. If everyone went local and HD went belly up, the sting to the local economy would be much worse than the opposite scenario. Ayer's flips inventory much slower so they are supporting fewer transportation and distribution workers than Home Depot as well. They rely on high school part time employees which are not supporting a family and I would rather my money go to someone that is struggling to buy food or clothes for their baby than the kid trying to make a buck to take his girlfriend to 5 Guys.
- Ayers prices are definitely higher than Home Depot so if anything your second point is flipped.
- I agree with them stocking more unique items or having a better burger is nice, but it doesn't have anything to do with helping the economy recover faster. On the flip side they have like a single 2x4 in the whole store.

(03-27-2020 12:26 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 10:42 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 05:37 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1

What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

These local business owners are my neighbors. The people that work for them are my neighbors. WAWA will be selling gas forever Home Depot isn't going anywhere, these bigger businesses have capital to pay their people. They aren't laying off workers. Bob's service station can survive a few months at best, after that the owner closes the doors an takes a job at Amazon moving boxes. Or maybe he will get a second mortgage on his house to pay the shop's electric, insurance and keep people employed. Even before this virus thing, take a walk down Main Street of almost any small town, especially those that don't have a lot of public sector workers and you will get a good idea of small business vs. big business. Imagine Harrisonburg without JMU. The population of Harrisonburg shrunk by maybe 30% about 3 months sooner than anyone expected, therefore local business revenue is down. How many mom and pop places can't afford to stay open until next semester?

I guess some people have no clue the tight rope small business are walking.

The people that work at Home Depot and Wawas are also your neighbors so why aren't you supporting them too? Those people that left 3 months sooner are now supporting another local economy so why aren't you supporting other small town USAs?

I completely get helping local business over a hump but a wholesale initiative to "buy local" makes little economic sense.

(03-27-2020 04:18 PM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 12:26 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 10:42 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  [quote='RamDawg' pid='16754526' dateline='1585262243']
Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1
[/quot
What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

These local business owners are my neighbors. The people that work for them are my neighbors. WAWA will be selling gas forever Home Depot isn't going anywhere, these bigger businesses have capital to pay their people. They aren't laying off workers. Bob's service station can survive a few months at best, after that the owner closes the doors an takes a job at Amazon moving boxes. Or maybe he will get a second mortgage on his house to pay the shop's electric, insurance and keep people employed. Even before this virus thing, take a walk down Main Street of almost any small town, especially those that don't have a lot of public sector workers and you will get a good idea of small business vs. big business. Imagine Harrisonburg without JMU. The population of Harrisonburg shrunk by maybe 30% about 3 months sooner than anyone expected, therefore local business revenue is down. How many mom and pop places can't afford to stay open until next semester?

I guess some people have no clue the tight rope small business are walking.

The people that work at Home Depot and Wawas are also your neighbors so why aren't you supporting them too? Those people that left 3 months sooner are now supporting another local economy so why aren't you supporting other small town USAs?

I completely get helping local business over a hump but a wholesale initiative to "buy local" makes little economic sense.

I support small and local business for many of the reasons already stated, but also because I think anyone willing to take on the risk and the responsibility of owning a business has a fortitude, work ethic and a confidence that is a benefit to our society. I also think they offer visible role models to the youth- that yes, an individual can have a great deal of control over their life and can be more than a nameless face in large corporation. When I can never find an out of season item at Walmart but I can at the local garden or hardware store, I also appreciate that the small business is there. I also appreciate being able to have the experienced clerk or owner help me identify what I need. Small matters it seems until you need that service and if you do not support them on a regular basis, they won't be there when you need that.

(03-27-2020 04:18 PM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 12:26 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 10:42 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  

(03-26-2020 05:37 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  Those of us that are still able to earn money, need to make an effort to spend as much as possible at local businesses. Buy gas from the local shop instead of Wawa, order curb side food from local mom and pops, tip 20% +. Eat lunch at McD's, Wendy's who are owned by locals instead of packing food I purchased at Food Lion. Buy fertilizer at the local Ace Hardware instead of Home Depot. It isn't much but every little bid helps.

+1

What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

These local business owners are my neighbors. The people that work for them are my neighbors. WAWA will be selling gas forever Home Depot isn't going anywhere, these bigger businesses have capital to pay their people. They aren't laying off workers. Bob's service station can survive a few months at best, after that the owner closes the doors an takes a job at Amazon moving boxes. Or maybe he will get a second mortgage on his house to pay the shop's electric, insurance and keep people employed. Even before this virus thing, take a walk down Main Street of almost any small town, especially those that don't have a lot of public sector workers and you will get a good idea of small business vs. big business. Imagine Harrisonburg without JMU. The population of Harrisonburg shrunk by maybe 30% about 3 months sooner than anyone expected, therefore local business revenue is down. How many mom and pop places can't afford to stay open until next semester?

I guess some people have no clue the tight rope small business are walking.

The people that work at Home Depot and Wawas are also your neighbors so why aren't you supporting them too? Those people that left 3 months sooner are now supporting another local economy so why aren't you supporting other small town USAs?

I completely get helping local business over a hump but a wholesale initiative to "buy local" makes little economic sense.

I guess it's a preference thing. Do you only want a huge hardware store with lots of lower cost selection and (in my experience) a different less-knowledgeable person helping you every time you visit? Or a pet store with a thousand types of dog food but usually getting a new-hire who knows less than you? Sure, if you know exactly what you want who cares how helpful or invested the staff is? But if there are times you are willing to pay a little more for insight, service, and advice you value, it's nice to have another option.

I once had a tricky fix for our $500 vacuum cleaner. Yes, I could have bought some replacement parts at Walmart or Amazon and end up spending hundreds of dollars, but I decided to go into a local vacuum shop owned by an elderly gent and his wife. The 30 minutes the guy took to explain and demonstrate to me how the issue was caused by a bent bracket that he sold to me for $5 was something lost in the big box stores.

The "shop local" efforts are an attempt by small business owners to pool their resources instead of trying to go head to head against corporate giants they have no chance against exposure-wise individually.

I'd argue the small shop actually contributes more to the local community not only because the ownership is there, but also because I think they employ more people per transaction dollar. Walmart might do a hundred times the business but there's no way the employ hundred times the people.

If folks can't see the importance of that, then these small businesses really don't have a prayer.

(03-25-2020 08:36 AM)Dukester Wrote:  This is an anonymous poll

What about none of the above.

(03-27-2020 07:56 PM)2Buck Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 04:18 PM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 12:26 PM)RamDawg Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 10:42 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 08:12 AM)JMU85 Wrote:  +1

What is the rationale behind "buying local", specifically in non agriculture/food situations?

The bigger corporates also employ local people, are probably in a better position to keep the local employees onboard longer in future downturns, and I'm going to assume offer higher pay and better benefits.

I can understand the point that the local hardware store owner spends more of their profits in my local area whereas the Home Depot CEO is spending their money in some other state. However, that seems to imply you should care more about your city than your state or country. I can also understand that point, but ultimately I'm more pro-USA than pro-Arlington.

The other point I have seen is that local business support local charities/sport leagues/schools/etc. However, this seems like an incomplete picture in that if the local hardware store donates 5% of their profits to local charities, but Home Depot donates 10% of their profits to national/local charities, you are actually diminishing the greater good. We could only speculate on those percentages as a whole but I think most would agree that local businesses generally have thinner margins which impact the ability to give.

This is 100% an inquisitive post, and off topic, but my quick google search is only turning up information on buying local food, which I think is different than other industries.

These local business owners are my neighbors. The people that work for them are my neighbors. WAWA will be selling gas forever Home Depot isn't going anywhere, these bigger businesses have capital to pay their people. They aren't laying off workers. Bob's service station can survive a few months at best, after that the owner closes the doors an takes a job at Amazon moving boxes. Or maybe he will get a second mortgage on his house to pay the shop's electric, insurance and keep people employed. Even before this virus thing, take a walk down Main Street of almost any small town, especially those that don't have a lot of public sector workers and you will get a good idea of small business vs. big business. Imagine Harrisonburg without JMU. The population of Harrisonburg shrunk by maybe 30% about 3 months sooner than anyone expected, therefore local business revenue is down. How many mom and pop places can't afford to stay open until next semester?

I guess some people have no clue the tight rope small business are walking.

The people that work at Home Depot and Wawas are also your neighbors so why aren't you supporting them too? Those people that left 3 months sooner are now supporting another local economy so why aren't you supporting other small town USAs?

I completely get helping local business over a hump but a wholesale initiative to "buy local" makes little economic sense.

I guess it's a preference thing. Do you only want a huge hardware store with lots of lower cost selection and (in my experience) a different less-knowledgeable person helping you every time you visit? Or a pet store with a thousand types of dog food but usually getting a new-hire who knows less than you? Sure, if you know exactly what you want who cares how helpful or invested the staff is? But if there are times you are willing to pay a little more for insight, service, and advice you value, it's nice to have another option.

I once had a tricky fix for our $500 vacuum cleaner. Yes, I could have bought some replacement parts at Walmart or Amazon and end up spending hundreds of dollars, but I decided to go into a local vacuum shop owned by an elderly gent and his wife. The 30 minutes the guy took to explain and demonstrate to me how the issue was caused by a bent bracket that he sold to me for $5 was something lost in the big box stores.

The "shop local" efforts are an attempt by small business owners to pool their resources instead of trying to go head to head against corporate giants they have no chance against exposure-wise individually.

I'd argue the small shop actually contributes more to the local community not only because the ownership is there, but also because I think they employ more people per transaction dollar. Walmart might do a hundred times the business but there's no way the employ hundred times the people.

If folks can't see the importance of that, then these small businesses really don't have a prayer.

+1

(03-27-2020 11:50 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  

(03-27-2020 11:09 AM)LovethoseDukes Wrote:  Supporting local businesses allows them a better chance of staying open. Brother's carryout for the cheesesteak special for me on Saturday night!

Yeah I can understand a shift in the near term to favoring local business. My question, although not totally clear, is related to the continual push for "buy local."

They may well be your neighbors, G.W.

If you’d rather support someone in Kirkland Wa., then by all means have at it.

My life hasn't changed much since I work from home. I did, however, take a drive to the bank a while ago. Only drive-through service available and Denton, Texas, a city of 140,000 folks, was a ghost town. Very eerie. We had our first coronavirus death in the county yesterday. There are 51 confirmed cases in the county.