By Jennifer Johnson, MainStreet Libertyville Volunteer
It’s late January, and I’m already feeling much like the White Rabbit from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland about my New Year’s resolutions. “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late,” rings through my head. But according to a recent article in Fast Company magazine, March fourth is the best day to start your new year’s resolutions. Which means NOW is the best time to set your resolve. This year I’m challenging you to find more ways to engage MainStreet Libertyville member businesses and events in your daily routine and ask yourself, “Am I really living locally?”
You may think, “of course I’m living locally.” But between now and the end of February, take a few moments to consider your daily, weekly and monthly routines and where and how you spend your money, time and talents. Can any of those routines be shifted to support local, small business owners? Ask yourself this question every day, and by March 4th, you’ll be fully prepared to take on the challenge to really live locally in 2019.
Small changes, over time, create momentum. Purchase your morning coffee or freshly-roasted coffee beans from a Libertyville business. Make a reservation or meet over lunch at a Libertyville restaurant like Oscar Lee’s BBQ or Pizzeria DeVille. Take in a show at the Improv Playhouse. Take your dry cleaning, tailoring needs and shoe repairs to a downtown merchant, who is eager to serve you. Shop in style for your pet at Bentley’s Pet Stuff, where the employees even know your dog’s name if you stop in frequently enough.
When you support small businesses, you have the opportunity to get to know business owners and employees personally. It’s amazing to experience the passion and dedication of local merchants firsthand. Try a new fitness class this year at Intent Libertyville Bike Shop & Training Center, Black Cat Yoga or Premier Personal Training. Schedule a salon or spa service at Allure Designs Salon + Boutique, where the services and the merchandise selection are plentiful. These same business owners, as members of MainStreet Libertyville, also commit to reinvesting the dollars you spend back into community programs. Spend a leisurely afternoon close to home and see what’s new in downtown Libertyville. I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the mix of businesses and services, both new and longstanding alike.
And while you are updating the calendar for the new year, considering setting aside some time to volunteer for a MainStreet Libertyville event or committee. MainStreet Libertyville is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and promoting downtown Libertyville. Annually, MainStreet Libertyville provides over 50 days of events in downtown Libertyville and is supported 700 residential and 400 local business members. Volunteers log more than 4,000 hours each year planning and hosting MainStreet Libertyville activities. And it’s fun!
Going forward, resolve to really live locally in 2019, and allow MainStreet Libertyville to be your guide. For a complete list of MainStreet Libertyville merchants and members, please visit the business directory on the MainStreet Libertyville website. And be sure to follow MainStreet Libertyville on your favorite social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Google+.