Let’s think about the economic impact of shopping local with an example of a coffee enthusiast. This enthusiast opens a coffee shop, thereby turning a dream into a reality. Now a business owner, he/she hires locals to help operate the shop. With the extra help, the coffee shop begins to take off. People in the community now have a “favorite spot” they can go to for seeing friends, working on projects, or just grabbing some good espresso. Also, more sales could mean more in local taxes, which would fund things like better community sidewalks, roads, and parks. The coffee shop is just one example of how shopping local supports a community.
Who else loves Lewisburg? Aggies Gift Shop, Greenbrier Real Estate (featured window photo at the top), Robert’s Antiques & Wine Shop, Greenbrier Chiropractic Center, Smooth Ambler, Food & Friends, The Wild Bean, S.J. Neathawk Lumber, Bella the Corner Gourmet, and so many more! Craig Miller, owner/operator of Serenity Now Outfitters, not only supports the Love Lewisburg campaign but he has helped launch it. A huge advocate of shopping local, he wrote an LBSPY article titled: “Shop Local Along the Streets of Downtown Lewisburg” Click here to read.
Where will you shop local and choose independents? Make a statement on social media by hash-tagging: #LoveLewisburg on instagram. We encourage you to get involved in this campaign. It allows us all, on an individual level, to show our support for the shops in our neighborhood.
– Christina Entenmann, February 2015.
HASHTAGWV ART & ENTERTAINMENT Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Christina Entenmann-Edwards has been a WV resident since September 2008. She was born and raised in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and is no stranger to hard work and the entrepreneurial spirit. In 2006, she graduated from Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Connecticut), Cum Laude, with a B.A. in History. In 2010, she graduated with an M.B.A. from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia). In February 2012, Christina launched HashtagWV as the area’s first full-color, free arts and entertainment tabloid + online platform. Christina completed the Leadership West Virginia class of 2021, which is an innovative program that grows, engages, and mobilizes leaders to ignite a life passion to move West Virginia forward.