American Express started this years ago --- and the day has been boosting local economies ever since. Today - and in the future - shop locally owned retail businesses and find special (many are one-of-a-kind) gifts for your friends and family. Take a break at a locally owned restaurant. When you do, you'll be giving more than half of every dollar you spend back to your own local economy.:
- salaries and tips to local workers
- rent to local land owners
- taxes
- donations to your kids' sports teams, school libraries, your favorite animal fostering group, etc.
Click here for map that will show you your nearest locally owned small business
photo: GettyImages
Shop Locally-Owned and Shop Big!Photo: Getty Images