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Neighborly Notes September 23, 2009 |
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One Last Lunch-
Recently I read a story in the Enquirer Journal of a local Cafe called Janets Corner Cafe closing it's door Tuesday. It got me thinking about all the other Businesses in Union County struggling to stay afloat in this downed economy. There is a simple solution to helping local businesses survive. Support your local businesses by shopping local. Here are the top ten reasons to shop local.
1. Significantly more money re-circulates locally when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses. Locally owned businesses help keep more money in our community because local business owners spend more of the profits of their businesses where they live - here - and locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses.
2. Most new jobs are provided by locally owned businesses. Small, local businesses are the largest employer nationally. Small businesses account for the largest share of net new jobs generated each year, and locally based businesses provide some of the most stable employment opportunities in our community.
3. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character. The unique character of Union County is what brought us here and will keep us here.
4. Local business owners invest in community. Local businesses are owned by people who live locally and are more invested in our community's future.
5. Customer service is better. Local businesses are closer to the customer and hire people with more specific expertise for better customer service.
6. Competition and diversity leads to more choices. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based on the needs of their local customers and not on a national sales plan, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
7. Reduced environmental impact. Shopping at locally owned businesses is more energy efficient. Locally owned businesses make more local purchases, thus reducing their transportation costs (and environmental impact).
8. Public benefits far outweigh public costs. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Encourages investment in the Union County area. A growing body of economic research shows that entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
10. Non-profits receive greater support. Non-profit organizations receive an average of 350% greater support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
Sincerely
Scott & Erin
Union County Neighbors
http://uc-nc.com  
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Another Union County Hidden Treasure |
Nana's Porch
201 N Main St
Monroe, NC
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 Nana’s Porch is a brand new store opening on October 3rd at 201 N Main st. in Historic downtown Monroe. They are located on the main floor of the original Belk building.
Picture walking into your Nana’s house when you were a little kid, filled with handcrafted treasures Nana lovingly collected. That is the idea behind Nana’s Porch.
They feature handcrafted items made by local crafters from North Carolina all showcased in one beautiful and unique location. This is not your typical retail location as it is designed to look just like Nana’s house.
In addition to their daily retail space that will be open from Tuesday through Sunday 10am until 5:30 pm, they are also hosting craft fairs at the location the first Saturday of every month. These fairs host even more local crafters than are housed in the store. You may come and take classes in the classroom area as well. Both adults and children alike will find fun and informative classes every month, everything from the art of canning to hand painting. Taught by local crafters these classes are great for scouting and homeschooling groups.
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Strawberry Party |
Union County Recipe Exchange
Have a favorite recipe to share? Post it in our recipe exchange and we might even add it to the newsletter.
This week we've added one of our favorites to get us started but we hope to see your favorites as well!
We'd also love to hear about it if you try out a recipe you find in the Recipe Exchange.
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What You Need:
1 bottle berry non-frozen liquid concentrate
8 ice cubes
1 cup water
8 oz. strawberry yogurt
6 frozen strawberries
What You Do:
Place berry concentrate and ice in a blender. Pulse until ice is crushed. Add remaining ingredients and blend on pulse until desired consistency is reached.
This non-alcoholic drink is berry refreshing. Loaded with strawberries, it's great for kids and adults alike, especially if you want to get a heaping helping of disease-fighting antioxidants
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Nominate a Cause or Family for UCN's Christmas Project |
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As a family, we try very hard to teach our children that the best part of Christmas is the giving. This year, with Union County Neighbors up and running smoothly, we're hoping to bring together this whole community to create a Union County Neighbors Christmas Project and do more than we could do on our own.
But there are so many families and organizations locally that are in dire need of support that we don't know where to start - so we're asking for your nominations. If you have a favorite Union County organization that provides local residents with food, or toys during the holiday season, please nominate them here by leaving their information.
We'd like to know who they are, what they do, how we can contact them, a link if they have one, and why you think they should be the recipient of the Union County Neighbors Christmas Project efforts!
Thanks in advance for your support of this project, and for your ongoing support of this growing community!
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Upcoming Events - September |
If you have a local event that you'd like to share,
you can add it to our event calendar.
It's easy, and free!
Just Visit
http://uc-nc.com/events
and click
+add event
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Adopt A Pet |
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 This is Cher. Cher is a cute little dog. She is about 25-30 lbs and is full grown. She has a beautiful coat with white one her face and legs. She has also been spayed. She loves to play and is very gentle with people. Her brother has been adopted and she has been here since August 26th.
Union County Neighbors is working with the Union County Animal Shelter to get the word out about animals that are available for adoption in Union County. The Adopt A Pet section will be a permanent fixture in our newsletter every week, where we will feature at least one adoptable pet each week.
You can find more information on Cher, and dozens of other animals that are available, by visiting petfinder.com
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About Union County Neighbors |
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Union County Neighbors offers Classified Ads, Business Directory, Local News, Events, and Free Forums for all Union County NC Residents. You can also share your pictures and videos, and even have your own blog! We provide resources that serve all residents within Indian Trail, Hemby Bridge, Fairview , Lake Park, Marshville, Mineral Springs, Monroe, Stallings, Unionville, Waxhaw, Marvin, Weddington, Wesley Chapel and Wingate.
Union County Neighbors Mission Statement
We at Union County Neighbors feel that an integral part of maintaining a healthy local economy, as well as healthy community attitudes and atmosphere, is support from our neighbors. Local businesses rely on local customers, and neighborhoods and people depend on one another to look out for each other. In order to foster these ideas, Union County Neighbors pledges to create a site where residents can find the products and services they need and desire, within our area. We also hope to create an online community where friendships and partnerships can be forged.
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