Adrien Vlach can remember when most of the businesses in the Lansing area were locally owned — almost a decade ago.
“From what I’ve seen now, at least 50 percent of the businesses now are part of chains in some way,” said the executive director of the MSU Student Housing Cooperative, 541 E. Grand River Ave.
The MSU SHC is one of a growing number of local businesses to join Capital Area Local First, a group recently formed in the Lansing area, to promote local businesses and help the local economy.
“We want people to think about local businesses first,” said Jeff Johnson, president of CALF, and owner of Bake N’ Cakes, 3003 E. Kalamazoo St. “If a chain comes in with customers waiting in a line and you have a local business place waiting for customers, it’s just a shame.”
Johnson said local businesses tend to hire more people and pay more than chain stores. For every dollar spent locally, 25 cents leaves town.
A graph posted on localfirst.com shows that for every $100 spent at a local business, $73 stays in the area economy if the business is locally owned; if the business is non-local, only $43 stays in the area economy.
While CALF has only been active for about eight months, many local businesses have joined, some as recently as a few weeks ago. They are encouraged by the opportunity to promote business in the area. Thirty-nine local businesses are listed as members of the organization on CALF’s Web site.
“We’re all for supporting local businesses and everything in the community as opposed to shipping things out,” said Dave Bernath, co-owner of Flat, Black & Circular at 541 E. Grand River Ave.
Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft, 217 Ann St. Plaza joined the group within the last two weeks.
“It’s a good idea to promote local businesses,” said owner Tom Dufelmeier, “It’s a good idea to keep the money local because the money turns over in the local economy several times.”
The Capital Area Local First Kickoff will take place from 4-7 p.m. Sept., 13 at Dublin Square Irish Pub, 327 Abbott Road. Residents will get to sample local foods and have a chance to meet with local business owners, according to a press release for the event.
While many businesses say there hasn’t yet been a significant increase in business for them, they remain confident once the word gets around it will help the entire area.
“There are a lot of nice businesses in Lansing that are exclusive to this area and I’d hate to see them close,” Johnson said.
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