Shop Local – New Jersey
In the land of mega malls I generally try to avoid them at all costs. Not only because of the terrible traffic they cause, the fact that I’m not a big fan of crowds, or fighting for parking, but also because in the current economic climate I can’t express enough the importance of supporting local small businesses. Now i know this may come off as a bit biased considering I’m a small business owner myself! But I truly believe in it, and it makes the monotony of running daily errands so much more enjoyable.
The days of shopping your local town, stopping in at the butcher for your meat, the baker for bread, the town pharmacist for medicine is quickly becoming a thing of the past. When you can make one stop at a megastore and get everything done in a heartbeat, why on EARTH would you make multiple stops? I admit after a long day at work I am not too keen on stopping on the grocery store and then making another stop at the local butcher, florist or bakery. It is oh so tempting to just throw everything in the cart and run home; but every time I do I couldn’t be happier that I did. The butcher especially can actually be fun! I can call my order in ahead of time, chat a bit with Emilio (the owner), learn something new abut a particular cut of meat, and get a product that is far superior to anything in the supermarket meat case.
So here is my first shop local recommendation, Waldwick Prime Meats in Waldwick New Jersey. Shops like this one are nearly extinct, so get out there, buy some prime meat from your local butcher, and cook up a delicious dinner!
You can check out Waldwick Prime Meats website right here!
The “Vivi Store,” as my niece calls it, is a small clothing shop (located in Ho-Ho-Kus NJ) for babies and children, designed around the concept of living green, reducing waste and supporting socially responsible companies. Everything at Vivi is made with natural fibers. We have a mix of lines that are either organic, handmade or made with recycled fabric. And most of our designers are doing something to give back to the global community. Whether it’s in the structure of their company and how it’s run, in their philosophy of giving back or in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, they are all producing fantastic products that are healthy for the planet and for the children who wear them. As consumers, we really do have the power to change the world for the better just by choosing to support the companies that are working to do just that. Learn more about us...VIVI8572
