4 Reasons to Shop Local in Knoxville

One of the things that we love most about Knoxville is the abundance of small and local businesses that characterize our little city. The small businesses our neighbors have built all over downtown and beyond contribute incredible charm to our community, and make us proud to be a part of the culture. The small and local business scene has become an integral part of this city in many ways, and if you and your family love Knoxville, one of the best ways to contribute to the scruffy little city is to shop local. How does shopping locally make a difference? Read on to find out!

1. Supporting local business means supporting your community’s economy - most of the money you spend at small and local businesses stays local, including taxes. This means that when you shop local, your money supports schools, government projects and departments, and your own neighbors.
   
   
2. Local businesses create local jobs, and are customers of other local businesses. The people who work behind the counter of your favorite local restaurant or shop are people who live in your community all the time. There’s a sense of camaraderie among local businesses - supporting each other means that they all do well and the community always benefits. Those local restaurants are buying food from local farms, local stores provide an opportunity for local designers and artists to shine, you get the idea.
   
   
3. If you’re looking for something unique and creative, local is the way to go. Merchandise you won’t find anywhere else is abundant on the shelves and hangers of Knoxville’s local businesses, in the form of farm grown foods, handmade artwork, or even, ya know, locally-themed t-shirts.
   
   
4. Interesting local businesses make your community a place that people want to come visit! When visitors spend money at said local businesses, they’re supporting our community too. When your friends or family come to visit, showing them the people and businesses that are unique to Knoxville gives them a chance to be a part of everyday life here, and an opportunity to meet the people of Knoxville.