Creating a Positive Impact

While a lot of the work we do focuses on business at the local level, a national story recently caught my attention and I think the message and values are worth sharing.

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Many of you may have already read about outdoor outfitter REI closing not only on Thanksgiving Day, but the day after, Black Friday, as well. The marketing associated with the announcement is urging not only its employees, but customers to #optoutside.

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I’d like to commend REI for bucking the current trend of retailers opening on Thanksgiving and giving their employees a hard earned break. Not only is it clever, and will bring goodwill to the company, it’s also great to see a retailer recognize the importance of work-life balance on such a large stage. On a holiday meant to give thanks for what we have, those employees will have the opportunity to enjoy those things they are so thankful for.

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We talk so much at Local First about spending our dollars locally. Each time we buy something, we are choosing what type of community we want to live in, what type of businesses we want in our community and what types of values we want those businesses to represent. It’s a big decision. Because of this, we work with our Local First members to think about not only their bottom lines, but how they can impact their employees and their community in a positive way.

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REI is choosing to impact their employees in a positive way and while they are not a local business, it’s not hard to look in our community and find local businesses that are choosing the same thing. Maybe it’s not closing on Black Friday, but it could be employee appreciation days, living wages, supporting community involvement and investing in employee’s education. Businesses making their employees and their community a priority not only deserve our considered patronage, but, our thanks as well, for making our community a better place for all of us.