When will "local" go beyond food ingredients and food service?

Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion

When will "local" go beyond food ingredients and food service?

[22 posts] [16 contributors]

Topic Rating:

(Total Ratings: )
Rate this topic:

Started 3 months ago by melikecheese
Latest reply from Wolf Starr

Tags:

12 Next »

melikecheese
Merion Village
Login to Send PM

So I have been thinking a lot recently about how the local trend typically goes to food, then quickly stops at food.

I am interested in when the local trend will go beyond food and craft items made in the city, and move up to larger things. Seems like B2C commerce likes to offer local, but does B2B and those underlying services ever matter? I'd argue they were just as important and often allows your local efforts to reach more local employees.

For example, just about every local artist or shop that sells something online uses PayPal. Did they have any idea a direct competitor exists and is based on Columbus? Same goes for home owners fees. German Village added PayPal last year, when they could have used a local company that donated both money and time to Shiller Park.

Thoughts?

Posted 3 months ago #
AmyArt21
Short North
Login to Send PM

melikecheese said:
For example, just about every local artist or shop that sells something online uses PayPal. Did they have any idea a direct competitor exists and is based on Columbus?

Company name/website?
It's hard to find out about such products & services when people don't mention them by name :)

Posted 3 months ago #
Roland
Clintonville
Login to Send PM

Are you referring to 2Checkout.com?

I've only knew of them being local after getting an email receipt that was processed through them and seeing the address. They definitely need to get the word out...

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

Roland said:
Are you referring to 2Checkout.com?

I've only knew of them being local after getting an email receipt that was processed through them and seeing the address. They definitely need to get the word out...

http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/2checkout-com-expanding-headquarters-columbus/

Posted 3 months ago #
melikecheese
Merion Village
Login to Send PM

Yes it is, but I did not want to mention the name and turn it into a discussion about a specific company.

I was more interested in a discussion around local products and services that are not linked to food service. I just happen to frame my thoughts around this example, namely because I've worked at 2CO for many many years so it's an example I am very familiar with.

Posted 3 months ago #
mrpoppinzs
Arena District
Login to Send PM

In my old apartment the furnace in the basement was a Lennox made in Columbus OH. I thought that was pretty cool. Wish we made more stuff like that locally again.

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

melikecheese said:
Yes it is, but I did not want to mention the name and turn it into a discussion about a specific company. I was more interested in a discussion around local products and services that are not linked to food service.

I think there's already a lot of local products and services all around us, but they're not as sexy as food, nor are they a frequent need, as is food. A locksmiths for example, is a local service that has never really been dominated by a national chain or corporation. And even services that have chain competition still thrive when it comes to the locals and independents, such as auto mechanics or photographers.

Anyway, totally shameless self promotion once again, but we've tried to take a very *broad* approach to the term "entrepreneurialism" and cover as many industry types as we can. You'll find 10 pages worth of local business profiles here:

http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/category/features/business-profiles/

...and only a fraction of them are food-related. We want to help spread the word on these types of small businesses, so if there's any recommendations or suggestions you have for ones we should write about, let us know! ;)

Posted 3 months ago #
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
Login to Send PM

Food makes sense as local can provide an intrinsic factor in the product. Not only can it be fresher, but the specific geography can produce qualities that are specific to that area. That is a reason you see such an emphasis on food products.

Other products rely on local as an extrinsic value, often wholly unconnected with the qualities of the product itself. That is a tougher sell. It is nice to say 'all things being equal,' but the reality is that is seldom the case. You better be able to deliver on the rest with local as the lagniappe.

A.

Posted 3 months ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
Login to Send PM

I do get more excited about locally made beer and ice cream than say a locally made rake.

Posted 3 months ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
Login to Send PM

Wow, I feel like a total dork for being excited when I found out Safelite Group is based in Columbus. It's now a subsidiary of a European conglomerate, but it's local enough for me. The tech who expertly replaced my windshield was really proud of it being a Columbus-based company, too.

Posted 3 months ago #
cheap
Westgate
Login to Send PM

catnfiddle said:
Wow, I feel like a total dork for being excited when I found out Safelite Group is based in Columbus. It's now a subsidiary of a European conglomerate, but it's local enough for me. The tech who expertly replaced my windshield was really proud of it being a Columbus-based company, too.

there are local glass installers who are less expensive than Safelite,and keep the money in the Columbus economy.
plus,if you pay cash,they give you a break on the price.

Posted 3 months ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
Login to Send PM

When I asked for glass repair / installation suggestions a few months ago, none of those other installers were mentioned.

Posted 3 months ago #
rus

Login to Send PM

catnfiddle said:
When I asked for glass repair / installation suggestions a few months ago, none of those other installers were mentioned.

Tough to patronize a business you don't know about...

Posted 3 months ago #
drew

Login to Send PM

Just for kicks, I'll throw this out there - anyone have any thoughts on the use localized currencies to create incentives for local patronage? I was very interested by this: http://brixtonpound.org/

Posted 3 months ago #
myliftkk
Columbus, OH
Login to Send PM

drew said:
Just for kicks, I'll throw this out there - anyone have any thoughts on the use localized currencies to create incentives for local patronage? I was very interested by this: http://brixtonpound.org/

That idea came up a few years back (Ithaca, NY for example). Too contrived (essentially, you're trying to establish a currency zone to put constraints on people's spending ability), I feel, to be really useful, and it makes the back end of every business more of a headache than necessary.

Posted 3 months ago #
Andrew Hall
Dennison Place (The Circles)
Login to Send PM

drew said:
Just for kicks, I'll throw this out there - anyone have any thoughts on the use localized currencies to create incentives for local patronage? I was very interested by this: http://brixtonpound.org/

It is an interesting idea, but the first order problem my liftkk mentioned is a big one.

The second, longer-term problem, is a Markov Chain type of problem. The currencies tend to collect at places where everyone does business regularly and who don't do a lot of purchasing themselves (ie have high amounts of labor costs vs material costs.) So those people are stuck in redeeming these somehow and someone has to float the discount.

Offering a locals discount achieves the same goals without the extra hassle.

A.

Posted 3 months ago #
thecandlelab
Columbus, OH
Login to Send PM

I also think an increasing number of merchants are getting uncomfortable with some of the "shop local" language out there and are starting to shy away from it.

We offer a locally-made alternative to the candles you get in the mall from Yankee Candle or White Barn. However, I don't want anyone to come and buy a candle from us because we're local - I want them to buy a candle because our product is better and more natural and our in-store experience is superior to the mall. Some of these shop local programs read like charity - "please go spend your money in local businesses or they will all go away". As an entrepreneur, I find that insulting and condescending.

I eat at mostly local restaurants, not because they're local, but because they offer a better dining experience over Appleby's. I want the same chance to compete, but I certainly don't want special currencies or pity programs to help drive business our way. The Small Business Beanstalk does a great job of doing this with the right message - encouraging you to visit independent merchants, but not begging you to do so out of fear or obligation.

Posted 3 months ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
Login to Send PM

^good post!

Posted 3 months ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
Login to Send PM

Huge +1 to thecandlelab - that feels really right on point.

Posted 3 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
Login to Send PM

+2 to Candle Lab. Well said!

Posted 3 months ago #