Why You Should Support Your Local Sneaker Shop

Image via Complex Original

Sometimes things just boil down to economics. When you support local businesses, you provide better opportunities to your community. The more you support local efforts, chances are more of that money is being used within the community, which in turn builds up other businesses. Consider it your duty as a citizen.

People may not realize it, but local shops often have the inside track on upcoming releases that you have only seen on the blogs. The word "patron" actually derives from the from Latin patronus, which means "protector of clients" or "defender." If you are showing your love for them by shopping with them, they can easily return the favor to let you know what is and isn't really accurate in the blogosphere.

It seems to be getter harder and harder to cop those must-have releases from the chain stores, even when they restock multiple times. The best way to avoid all of that is to keep your money local. If they see you supporting their store, chances are that when you are in a pinch and can't get a pair, they will be nice enough to hold a pair for you. Supporting your local goes both ways, shop owners should support local customers that provide the core of their business.

Unlike larger chains that have to adhere to a national sales plan, local shops can take risks on local artists and smaller brands. Everything from a t-shirt designer to full clothing labels, they often get their start on the racks of a local sneaker shop. Same goes for small sneaker brands that are just trying to get their foot in the door. Your local shop may be the source of the next big thing.

Sneaker brands are starting to show a lot of love for local spots, which has resulted in local shops getting exclusive releases that are not available at the larger retailers. For some that may be collaborations, for others it may be quickstrikes, and for others it may be releases that may have only hit in other countries. Shop analog.

Now, we are not saying that chain stores are corporate and don't push the envelope, but we do know that a lot of local sneaker shops are keeping things exciting when it comes to releases. Think about all the crazy packs and extras that often accompany releases. Things as small as stickers and a nice bag add to the experience when shopping at a local sneaker spot that you don't get at a larger chain. Hopefully they will take notice.

First thing first: Don't expect to get a discount on big releases. It is not going to happen. However, if you shop locally often enough, chances are when you just stop by to pick up a random pair, the SRP will be a little lower than you expect it to be. Don't even think to ask about something like that at one of the mall stores.

Local businesses provide jobs for people in the community and often pay them better than the larger chains that are all about the bottom line. Even more, if you keep showing your face around there, when it is time for you to get a job, having a relationship with the employees there will definitely help get you to the interview stage.

If you are tired of all these other shops getting exclusives with brands, well you gotta show your local spot some love in the interim. While collaborations aren't always based on a shop selling the most, moving product definitely helps. With your patronage, your local shop can confidently approach brands with ideas for collaborations knowing they have a strong community supporting them.

With a lot of local shops starting to get what the bigger box stores are getting, there are very few reasons not to shop at one over the other. However, it has been our experience that the service that you get from a local store is often better than at chain stores. There is something truly unique about being helped by someone that knows your name and knows you well enough to know what you want to buy.

While today's world has made it seem you have to have thousands of followers and likes to be an influencer, the fact is no matter who you are you can definitely influence the trends at your local shop. Make no mistake, people are watching you and your local shop is no exception. They watch what you rock and how you rock it and it often determines what they bring into the store and which colors they choose.

Of all the things we mentioned, one of the best things is simply being able to hang out with good people who love what you love. It takes a very special person that loves sneakers to open up a shop. With the knowledge they have of the sneaker game, it might do you some good to just hang out and chop it up with the folks that work at your local spot.