It’s a familiar refrain repeated by countless travelers as set out to get the pulse of a new place: “I don’t want to eat at a train restaurant that could exist just anywhere. Let’s eat somewhere special, a place that is only in this city.” It makes sense. Why spend time and money traveling to eat at a chain restaurant, with menu selections carbon copied from the location 15 minutes from your home?
Independent Businesses Results in a Stronger Financial Landscape in the Community
In addition to variety, independent restaurants have a greater financial impact on local economies. Many inter-related factors combine to determine the financial shadow businesses cast on their locations. According to the American Independent Business Alliance, businesses boost neighborhoods in the following ways:
- Direct impact – money spent to keep the business running such as supplies, equipment, and wages
- Indirect impact – money spent and earned in the business makes its way through the community
- Induced impact – a restaurant that brings people to their location creates an atmosphere ripe for consumer spending at other local establishments
Independent restaurants tend to have a bigger impact in all three areas than their franchise counterparts. Read about the multiplier effect of independent restaurants here.
Off the Beaten Path but in Your Own Backyard
Harder to measure but equally important is the goodwill created when people enjoy eating and shopping in these neighborhoods. Spending free time with friends and family repeatedly in the same place creates a positive energy, which helps them to envision living here, inches away from their favorite hang-outs.
The Grove has earned its reputation as a hot spot of independent restaurants and bars. With an array of cuisine choices ranging from Soul Food to Nepalese and an expanse of outdoor patios that offer customers views of the historic architecture and unique murals that dot the landscape.
The Life of an Independent Restaurant Owner: A Difficult but Rewarding Road
How You Can Contribute to their Success
Chain restaurants have many advantages including a larger revenue pool to split between locations. This helps with purchasing land. They also offer pre-made training programs that entrepreneurial establishments have to write themselves. Chain restaurants have headquarters with staff working on stream-lining processes and negotiating large scale purchases of equipment.
However, customers have one powerful tool to prop up the success of their favorite independent business: word of mouth and reviews. People trust third-party reviews written by customers on sites such as Sauce Magazine, Google and Yelp. Contribute to the local economy of the Grove: Eat good food and let the world know.
