About once a week, I walk into a local coffee shop for my daily dose of caffeine to keep the day moving.

There’s one in particular where, almost without fail, a group of gentlemen from the community are gathered around a table solving the world’s problems. I place my order, walk over, and ask what issues they’re tackling today. They usually tell me they’re causing more than they’re solving.

They know my name. They welcome me into their ongoing debate. A few times, they’ve even invited me to sit down — something I haven’t taken them up on yet, but probably should. I have a feeling there’s a lot of wisdom at that table.

That’s what it feels like to truly immerse yourself in being local.

It’s those small moments — walking into a shop where they know your name, or better yet, know your order before you say it. It’s the haircut the week before your wedding, when the barber who’s been cutting your hair since you were little is extra careful not to take too much off the top. It’s the deep breath during a massage after a long week of teaching our local children and being on your feet all day. It’s bringing your car into the shop, trying to imitate the “funny noise” it’s making, and the mechanic nodding because somehow, they know exactly what you mean.

These are the everyday moments we often take for granted.

But they are the threads that weave a community together.

Choosing local isn’t just about convenience. It’s about connection. It’s about choosing to be part of something bigger than a transaction. It’s about investing in the people who invest right back into us.

Our local businesses sponsor the teams.
They help the band march in parades.
They donate to fundraisers.
They quietly fix the car for someone who can’t quite pay the full bill — because they understand how much that vehicle means to a family’s livelihood.

That’s what local looks like.

So the next time you need a special gift, flowers for a friend, a last-minute repair, or a cup of coffee with the added bonus of a few wise characters solving (or causing) world problems — consider picking those things up close to home.

Every time you support local, you strengthen the place we all share.

Because this isn’t just where we live.

This is home.

And this home? It’s pretty spectacular.