Local Shops Build Healthy Economies

Chicago's Andersonville, a traditional urban district on the north side, presents economic impact findings, consumer survey results, and policy recommendations in defense of its unique character.

"For every $100 spent in 10 locally owned shops studied there, $73 stayed in Chicago's economy. For every $100 spent in a chain with comparable products, $43 appeared to stay, according to the study by Civic Economics, a firm that penned an often-cited 2002 report comparing a chain to a local bookstore in Austin, Texas. The Chicago study found that money spent in local stores stayed local because employees were paid more, owners used more local goods and services for their businesses and contributed more to local charities."