When it comes to deciding where you spend your money and your time, your choices matter. This applies to services you use, places you shop, and the restaurants you frequent. Many people don't realize the tremendous impact that their financial choices make on their community. When you choose to visit local restaurants, it benefits your community. According to Foodee, a restaurant listing service, every dollar spent at local businesses circulates two and a half times within the community through profits, jobs, and charities. Let's look at three benefits of visiting local restaurants.

1. Getting to Know Local Business Owners

In order to be an active part of your community, you need to spend time getting to know those within your community. It's especially beneficial to get to know local business owners. These individuals are literally the backbone of your community. When you get to know local business owners, it can also benefit you, as these people are often very helpful when it comes to networking. They know a lot of people and businesses in the community and are often a great resource of information.

2. Expanding Your Social Circle

Local restaurants often become a great place to spend time. Researchers are discovering the importance of people having a "third place." "Third places" are spaces outside of work and home where you spend time and interact with others. It's believed that strong connections to third places help improve mental health and help to grow community spirit. Third places can be churches, clubs, bars, restaurants, or anywhere you can congregate with people and spend quality time.

3. Helping the Local Economy

As mentioned above, when you spend your dollars locally, it impacts the economy in a completely different way. Funneling money into big corporations does nothing to impact your local businesses, organizations, or individuals. When you spend money locally, you're growing a local business, which will in turn put more money into your community. You are also helping to grow jobs in your community. This can even have a direct impact on you and your family if you happen to take a job from a local business owner one day.

Local restaurants are an important part of the local economy. You can help your local economy when you visit these establishments often. Visit Show-Me's today for a delicious meal. We look forward to seeing you.