Since I founded the Meridian Group in 1980, I have been a supporter of independent businesses.

Taste Unlimited was founded by a member of our community, Peter Coe.

I have always somewhat shopped at local retailers when I could, knowing I was doing a good deed by supporting small businesses, but I also ate at national chain restaurants, shopped at national chain grocery stores, and stopped for a drink at a national chain bar. I had no idea, however, the impact my own small local purchases could have on the Virginia Beach community until my company developed Independent We Stand, a movement supporting locally-owned businesses across the U.S, sponsored by STIHL Inc. Since we started the movement almost a year ago, I have become an avid “buy localist.”

Independent We Stand has analyzed studies which show that if Hampton Roads families spent $10 per month at independent business rather than mass merchants, $51,132,192 would be returned to the community.  That means better schools, better roads, more support for police, fire and rescue departments and a stronger Hampton Roads economy.

Since we launched Independent We Stand and I’ve had a chance to look behind the numbers, my commitment to buying local has increased tenfold. I have not dined at a chain restaurant in more than four months and when I grocery shop, I buy only the items I can’t get at my local farmer’s market or butcher.

As a local business owner, I now realize how important it is to support fellow local businesses in both my personal and professional life. When ordering lunch for a meeting, I choose Taste Unlimited over a chain. Meridian Group buys local down to our office products, which are supplied by Chesapeake’s Coastal Office Products.

Joe shops local.

Next time you’re driving to a mass merchant, take note of all of the independent business you pass and consider this: when you spend $100 at an independent business, $68 returns to our local economy. When you spend the same amount at a national chain, that number drops to $43.

Every year, I host the ‘Q,’ a cooking competition among our employees. This year, we decided to go completely local. From the ribs we grilled to the beer we drank, everything was locally sourced. I think the judges (Todd Jurich and Richard Boone of Todd Jurich’s Burger Bar, and Bobby Huber of Steinhilber’s) will agree – the competition and flavor that ensued this year was taken to a new level thanks to the resources we had available to us from independent Hampton Roads businesses.

People don’t realize how many independently-owned stores they pass on the way to national chains. The next time you need something for your home, I challenge you to go to an independently-owned Taylor’s Do-It Center, Ace Hardware or your friendly local hardware store. You will find a more knowledgeable staff with a desire to make sure you leave their store with the products and information you need to complete the projects you’re working on. They will know you by name rather than an order number. Local businesses are passionate about what they do, they believe their clients are the most important part of their operations, and they are priced to compete with national retailers. If that’s not reason enough to shop local, this is: independent businesses reinvest in the local economy at a 60% higher rate than chains and internet retailers.

If Hampton Roads started making a commitment to our local businesses, we could make an incredible impact on our local economy.

To find locally owned businesses in your zip code or to find out what your local economic impact could be, visit www.independentwestand.org.