Today is Shop Local Saturday. Ironically, it's a national event pushed by a multinational corporation. Be that as it may, our readers know one of the underlying philosophies of The Batavian is that people should strive to shop at local businesses as much as possible.
In this day and age, it would be impossible in just about any community in America to shop in only local shops, but all over America, as in Genesee County, our communities are filled with vital local businesses.
Local businesses are essential to a community's health and prosperity. Social science research shows that communities with strong local business communities reap all kinds of benefits, from higher graduation rates to lower poverty rates and even a lower infant mortality rate.
Local business owners help tie a community together. They volunteer more, give more and share more. They're part of our civic organizations and donate most to our local charities. Without successful local businesses, we would all be worse off.
There's been a lot of attention paid in this past election cycle to the idea that more of what we buy should be manufactured in the United States. That drive to bring manufacturing back to the United States means nothing if we're not supporting our local businesses. It's not that our local shops stock only American-made products, though that's more likely, it's that they are right in our community helping our community. If you truly want to see a great America, do something more than rally around manufacturing, support your local business owners, the people who live in your community and give to your community.
Here's a list of The Batavian's sponsors, which is a good place to start when shopping local for Christmas and into the New Year. We also encourage your support of the sponsors of the Pin Points bowling column, which runs every other Thursday exclusively on The Batavian.
We thank them for their support of The Batavian and thank you for your support of The Batavian and our community.
- Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
- Advanced Podiatry Associates
- Affordable Floorcovering
- Affordable Monuments
- Alberty's Drug Store
- Alex's Place
- Batavia Country Club
- Batavia Downs
- Batavia Redemption Center, Eastown Beverages
- Batavia Showtime
- Batavia Tailors & Cleaners
- Bath Crafters
- Beds 'n' Bones Pet Lodge
- Belhaven Kennels
- Bill Fox and Son Construction & Remodeling
- Bontrager's Real Estate
- Bourbon & Burger Co.
- Bubba's Landscaping
- Byron Hotel & Trail House
- Cancer Services Program
- Carter’s Restaurant & Bar
- The Caryville Inn
- Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep
- CB Beach Mortuary
- Cedar St. Sales and Rentals
- Center Street Smokehouse
- Chap's Elba Diner & Catering
- Chesley's Auto
- City Slickers
- Classic Optical
- Continental School of Beauty
- Council Opticians
- Country Line Electric
- Crazy Cheap Cars
- Culligan Water Treatment
- Dan's Tire
- D&R Depot Restaurant
- Dave's Ice Cream
- Deep Blue Pool & Spa
- Derrick Monument Company
- Dolce Panepinto Attorneys At Law
- Dumbleton's Used Auto Parts
- Empire Access
- Empire Tractor
- Erie East Windows & Doors
- Fab Fajita & Pita
- Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc.
- Fastec Automotive
- Ficarella's Pizzeria
- The Finishing Line
- First Choice Travel
- Floral Fantasies
- Foxprowl Collectibles
- Genesee County Emergency Services
- Genesee County Health Department
- Genesee Dental Group
- Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company Inc.
- Godfrey's Pond
- Gold N Times Auctions & Estates
- Greens of LeRoy
- H.E. Turner & Co.
- Hair Studio 25
- Hardcor Audio
- Harris Wilcox Inc.
- Haul-4-Less
- Head Games
- Henry H. Cook Inc.
- High Voltage Tattoo
- House of Kolor
- Humphrey's Electric & Security
- J. Leonard McAndrew
- Jagged Edges Salon
- John & Mary's
- John's Service Station
- Johnson's Elderly Care
- Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors
- Kati's Place Family Restaurant
- Ken Barrett
- Kiwanis
- Kreative Design Kitchen & Bath
- L&L Transmission, Inc.
- L.C. Mosman
- LJ Nails
- Lamb Family Medicine
- Lambert's Design Jewelers
- Le Roy Discount Liquor & Wines
- Le Roy Hearth & Home
- Livia Beauty & Spa
- Mane Attraction
- Manor House
- Matteo & Mullen, CPA
- Max Pies
- My Saloon
- O'Lacy's Irish Pub
- Oakfield Fitness
- Oliver's Candies
- Optique
- P&L Air
- Pastore's Pizzeria
- Pellegrino Auto Sales
- Queen of the Arts
- R&D Outlet
- RW Vapors
- Rancho Viejo Mexican Restaurant
- Realty USA - Robert J. Gerace
- Red Osier
- Reed Eye Associates
- Rider Real Estate
- Rochester Club West at Bohn's
- Rochester Regional Health
- Roxy's Music Store
- Sallome Heating & Cooling
- Santino's Pizza
- Scooter's Restaurant (Le Roy)
- Select Collision
- Settler's Restaurant
- Skyline RV Sales & Service
- Sloat's Tire
- Smokin' Eagle Brew & BBQ
- Southside Deli
- Stella Collision
- Student First Transportation
- T.F. Brown's
- The Insurance Center
- The Little Ridge
- The Oak Grill & Cafe
- Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel
- Tompkins Bank of Castle Insurance
- Toyota of Batavia
- Trash Away
- University of Buffalo
- Valle Jewelers
- Viking Valhalla/Rose Garden Bowl
- Vinyl Record Revival
- WNY Fireplace Outlet
- Walking In The Woods
- West Main Wine & Spirits
- Western Regional Off Track
- William Kent, Inc.
- Woody's Deli
- YMCA
- YWCA
- Yasses Construction
- Yngodess Shop
- Yume Asian Bistro