Unchain Your Heart-Shop Local

...just passing along some wise words from your favorite local record store...

As your friendly neighborhood record store we are grateful for your biz and know that we've survived the national record store slaughter because of you. So we'd like to thank you and remind you that, while we may all be spending less this season, it's important to make it count more. So, we urge you to shop local businesses this holiday and avoid chains. Here are some facts:

1-Local stores and restaurants keep their profits here in town and that money circulates back into the community. It's called the multiplier effect. When you spend a dollar at a chain, part of that money is sent out of town as profit. When you spend it with a local business, the profit stays here and adds to our economy. Right now millions of dollars a day are sent out of St. Louis by Wal-Mart, Best Buy and the other chains. That money is lost to our local economy. Studies across the nation confirm that more than three times as much money stays in the local economy when spent at locally owned independent businesses versus national chains.

2-It's eco-friendly. We, like most local businesses, work hard to find local suppliers and recycle as much as possible.

3-We provide good jobs and personal service. Small businesses are the largest employers in America. Local businesses supported raising the minimum wage in Missouri. The big chains fought us every inch of the way, so they could send even more profits out of state. Our employees know that our store only survives if they give you great service.

4-Local businesses give up to 4 times as much to charities. Hey, we live here. Making our city and state better is a big part of our job. We're proud that every month Vintage Vinyl donates dozens of items and gift cards to charity fundraisers all over the St. Louis area.

Shopping locally is an opportunity to contribute to stability in the economy that affects us every day during these tumultuous times.

Enjoy the holidays..We hope to see you soon.

For those of you wondering just what to get ME for my birthday in a week (December 15th!) or for christmas for that matter... I would like a tambourine.