I've been honoring Buy Nothing Day nearly since it's inception.
First created by artist Ted Dave in 1992, it was taken on and promoted by AdBusters in 1997 - the year a friend introduced me to it.
I was instantly *into* it.
Buy Nothing Day is a protest against consumerism, celebrated on a day that is (sometimes literally) a stampede of consumerism: Black Friday.
I understand the privilege of being anti-Black Friday. Sometimes the sales that day are necessary to replace a refrigerator, or buy gifts for a big family, or (insert any reason - I'm not here to judge, just to reflect). But I've always been hyperaware of the irony of a day of (again, sometimes literally) violent consumerism happening just after a day we spend giving thanks.
I've never been shopping on Buy Nothing Day, and I always knew that if I ever owned a store (a dream I had since my first official herb training in 2000!), it would be closed on Buy Nothing Day. This is something that is important to me to keep honoring, and is a big reason why were closed for a mini break Wednesday-Friday this week.
This year, I'm noticing lots of boycotts and blackouts and support for small business on social media. I love this! Not just because I want to stay in business (I do, of course! I love this life), but because shopping small is good for all of us. It keeps money circulating locally, and keeps money out of the hands of billionaires. It makes sure we have vibrant downtowns and access to what we need. It doesn't just support the business, it supports entire communities.
I will continue to honor Buy Nothing Day, but if you are going out on the day after Thanksgiving, please consider shopping only at small businesses on that day. This whole season, please consider shopping only at small businesses whenever possible. Forever, please consider investing in local shops and local communities by choosing to shop small whenever you can (I know that if you're reading this, you already go out of your way to support at least one small business (and the 100+ small businesses whose items we carry!))
We'll be back on 11/29 for Small Business Saturday and our 6th Shopaversary! We're open an extra hour Wed-Sat throughout the season (closing at 7pm on those days), and Sundays as usual, 11am-5pm. Hope to see you then!
Xo,
Lisa