Over Memorial Day weekend, we wandered around downtown Sandpoint and went shopping. We’re not exactly big shoppers, so it was kind of a novelty. James bought a hat at Snow River Sheepskin and I bought an extremely cool ink pen at Great Stuff. In both cases, the owners are acquaintances. James commented that it feels really good to support local businesses owned by people you know. It feels like you are buying from friends.
That sentiment probably explains why I haven’t been into any of the big box stores in ages. I can’t remember the last time I went to the SuperGigantoMart, for example. For me, after the last expansion, I found I couldn’t stand going there anymore. It’s just too huge and 90% of the time it’s so crowded that going there is a serious ordeal.
I feel even more strongly about supporting local growers. I just got a whole bunch of locally grown organic plants from Diane Green of Greentree Naturals. (You can find her at the Farmer’s Market almost every Saturday.) Yesterday, I picked up a couple of nice looking tomato plants at the Flower Farm on Selle Road. (They still have a good selection out there.) I also always buy my favorite Ronniger’s seed potatoes at All Seasons on Highway 200. The way I figure it, North Idaho gardening is challenging enough without buying plants that started out life in California or who knows where.
Local growers select plant varieties that have a prayer of growing in our northern climate. Since my garden is at an elevation about 1000 feet higher than downtown Sandpoint, that means ultra short season veggies and super hardy perennials.
Plus, again, it’s nice to go back every year and buy from people you know. Gardeners are often nice, friendly folks and its feels good to exchange garden tales and support their businesses at the same time.