We all know how important it is to support small businesses and shop locally… Or do we?

I mean, we hear about it during the holidays and feel lucky to live in a place with such cool storefronts, but do we know the true impact of shopping small?

As a local realtor, I’ve done a lot of research on this topic. When you’re a business owner, you have to stay informed. But more importantly, I enjoy supporting the Destin community — and that’s exactly what makes shopping locally so awesome.

Did you know that about $0.68 of every dollar spent in Destin gets reinvested in our city? This is great, not because the money stays in the same spot, but because it becomes more effective.

When you spend money within your community sphere, it creates an economic synergy. You decide which local businesses survive with your hard-earned dollars. It’s empowering for both you and the entrepreneurs you love.

This also means you’re creating a better place to live, one dollar at a time. Cities with thriving small businesses are more interesting, culturally vibrant areas to settle down.

Think about it: no one wants to live in a city dominated by national chains and box stores. Ironically, if you want more variety and specialty options, you have to think smaller, not bigger. And Destin is really good about this.

Plus, local businesses have no choice but to serve their communities well. They literally can’t afford to offer a bad product or substandard service; they don’t have unlimited marketing budgets to make up for it. So, every dollar and every customer counts. You count.

In the same vein, every dollar spent locally buys you access to real people, not a customer service line. Small business owners are passionate about what they do, so they are your best sources of information on a given subject. You don’t have to worry about your request being outsourced to an office overseas. When you shop locally, you get to connect with knowledgeable entrepreneurs and the employees whom they hand-picked to help them.

And the best part of shopping small? Your dollar influences a life, not a logo.

There is a person and a family behind every local storefront. Moreover, two out of every three jobs have been created by small businesses since 2014. So, your dollar creates new roles for Destin residents. It is, hands down, the best investment you can make in your neighbor’s life.

The moral of the story? Shopping locally is really, really important. It makes a huge difference in the Destin community — including your own daily life.

So, if you’re not sure where to start, check out some of my favorite local spots. I think you’ll love them as much as I do.