The 3/50 Project

This morning, I came into work and found a bit of goodness in my InBox from one of the artists I stock at the shop, the lovely Amy -- from Art School Girl in Chicago. It was a note about this initiative called The 3/50 Project ----- and it got me thinking a lot about the way I spend my shopping dollars (er, um... you know, when I have shopping dollars).

In a nutshell ---- the goal is to get people to pick three beloved small businesses in their community and spend $50 between them each month to help keep them up and running. Which I (being the owner of such an establishment) think is a pretty good (read: fuckin' awesome) idea!

But it also made me realize how living in Omaha has pulled me away from supporting as many mom & pop shops as I should be. I realized that, when I lived in NYC and Seattle -- I pretty much ONLY shopped at independently owned businesses and ate at locally owned restaurants. But, since I've been here, that's not really the case --- and I'd like to change that.

There's something about Omaha -- maybe it's the driving culture? -- that's caused me to duck into Target or Baker's or Home Depot or whatever for the things I buy each month. Granted --- there are some things I need to go to those spots for (I'm not even sure if Omaha has a non-chain hardware store anymore) but I would like to make more of an effort to funnel my money into businesses that need my business to survive and thrive....... just like I need all those folks still buying computer generated cards at the WallMart to get a clue and shop at Pulp.

So ------- I'm gonna challenge myself to patronize as many independently run shops/restaurants/farmers markets as I possibly can from now on... only buying things that I cannot get elsewhere with the big time chains. I know that the 3/50 project emphasises supporting brick & mortars -- but I'm leaving my quest open to independant businesses -- period. Because I would much rather try to buy fabric from Purl in NYC, than the JoAnn Fabrics on Center Street.

Yeah, I know it's gonna cost me a bit more to nab my groceries from Patrick's... but I really think it's worth it if it keeps those shops around and maybe inspires someone else to open a spot of their own. I'm actually pretty interested in seeing how this little experiment works out.... I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Oh! ...... and if anyone does happen to know of any indie hardware stores in Omaha, I'd love the scoop!