Now you may or may not have gotten your Valentine’s Day treats, attire, gifts or decor at a consignment, resale, or thrift shop.

But you know what? Those shopkeepers deserve a kiss (or at least a pat on the back!) for being the MOST local of the “Shop Local” businesses in your city, town, village, neighborhood.

Because the goods they sell aren’t shipped cross-country or cross-world. No mile-long tankers steamed across the Pacific to fill a resaler’s store. No tractor-trailer idled upwind from your kids’ playground. Best of all: You don’t have to trek to the mall only to find nothing interesting. Resalers are close to home and offer more locally-popular styles than any “new” retail store could.

Because their eco-footprint is light as can be. Whether your style runs to Birkenstocks or Manolo Blahniks, resalers re-use as much as they can. For example, their counter might be a salvaged door or a “throw-away” from the luxe store over at the mall. Best of all: resale shops offer you the chance to tread lightly on our planet, too!

Because their suppliers aren’t mega corporations. Resalers stock their stores with gently-used goods that have spent a little time in the homes of folks just like you. So all money made stays local. Best of all: You too can Turn Your Cluttered Closets into Cash!

Because 100% of the money you spend stays in your community. Consignment shops pay their consignors (who chances are, live local… or at least spend their cash-in-hand at the cafe next door or the specialty shop two blocks down.) Buy-outright shops create a cash flow that generally flows right back into your local economy. And non-profit thrifts? The money you give them goes directly to your community through their mission, whatever it may be. Best of all: Resale shops are the MOST LOCAL of all Shop Local Shops… and they themselves shop locally with PRIDE! (So ask them the best place to… They’ll know, and they’ll tell you! After all, they’re locals!)

So stop in this week at your local resale shop, say Hi and find something wonderful to treat yourself or your honey or your home with.

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