Supporting local businesses is an important part of keeping the heart of a small town beating. 

A lot of the places I’ve lived in and driven through, even some of the larger cities close to the Metroplex, have more local businesses than I thought they would.

Discovering the local businesses in an area has become a fun way for me to get to know the places I go. The internet is a good place to start, but I find it best to ask around and see what places people from the city like to visit. 

However, it is important to visit local businesses for reasons other than the enjoyment of discovering a favorite new spot in town.

It is incredibly important to shop at local businesses because doing so not only supports the family that runs it, but it also supports the community as a whole.

According to an article from fundera.com, statistics show that when you buy from a local business, 68 cents out of every dollar you spend stays within the community, as opposed to the 43 cents that stay in the community when you buy from a larger corporation. 

From the same article, simply not having enough cash flow is one of the primary reasons why smaller business owners have had to close their doors.

Advertisements and social media can only go so far when it comes to spreading the word about local businesses. Word-of-mouth is equally as important, if not more important, for keeping people aware of the local businesses in an area.

Abilene can be boring at times, but it has a lot to offer if you know where to look. Off the top of my head, I can think of four local coffee shops, one local hardware store and a few local clothing and accessory stores. 

The next time you want a cup of coffee, think about taking your business to an Abilenian-run coffee shop like The Hallows or Monks instead of driving up to the closest Starbucks. 

If you’re looking for supplies for a project, look at a place like Bible Hardware before you default to going to the closest Lowe’s. 

Ask your friends what places they have discovered in the cities they’ve been. You might be surprised by the community and products you find by deciding to branch out and stop at a local shop, even just once.