The Saturday Morning Post : Shop Local

There is a neighborhood a couple of miles from us, with a main street or high street, lined with small local shops.  There is a cheese shop, a couple of wine merchants, a butcher shop, two doggie boutiques, a hat shop, a couple of shops selling childrens clothing, and numerous restaurants and bars.  Del Ray has that small town anyplace in the world feel to it.* 

At the north end of this is Del Ray Artisans. A small gallery, featuring works of local artists, painters, sculptures, photographers, textile artists, and jewelry makers.  Prices range from $20 to $5,000, there is something for everyone.  And nothing there is being delayed in the global supply chain, everything is local.  Most of it supports local artists, most of whom have to have a day-job to support their passion of making art.  

It is fun to get out and walk, and visit these small local shops.  I always try to do buy something, on the latest visit it was the cheese shop, for specialty items for the pantry.  

There was a time when this kind of local shop was the backbone of every community.  Shopping local helps to keep these businesses alive.  
 

* The one thing Del Ray does not have is an easy connection to the subway, the reason I didn't consider buying there. I needed the subway to have a livable commute to my office.