Shopping Local: More Than a Trend

We all strive to support our local businesses, but do we succeed?

South Brooklyn is known in part for its vibrant shopping districts on Court and Smith streets and Atlantic Avenue, and Councilmember Brad Lander wants to make sure it stays that way.

Last week, Lander launched a new website called “Shop Local” to celebrate the mom-and-pop shops in the neighborhood, and encourage residents to show their appreciation for them by frequenting them often.

The website will put the spotlight on local businesses nominated by their communities, as well as feature a listing of local shops accompanied by links to reviews by local publications.

This month, the site is featuring Brancaccio’s Food Shop in Kensington, in Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Commune in Windsor Terrace — and as part of the Shop Local program, all three spots will offer up a special deal to anyone who mentions the program when they visit during the month of August.

“If we do not support local businesses, they will be replaced by vacant storefronts and chains,” he wrote in a letter to the community. And indeed, in recent years the neighborhood has already seen an influx of chains and so-called “big-box” retailers, and a

"These are the business people who are more likely to live in the community, hire in our community, and donate in our community. We also highlight local businesses who treat their workers well, and are good stewards of the environment,” Lander wrote.

“Supporting locally-owned small businesses in our neighborhoods benefits all of us.”