Shopping at home can really pay off

A reader dropped this message off recently and I wanted to share the thought.

After buying a faucet at Merwin's, a weed whacker at Sears, a bird bath at Wal-Mart, a cart load of groceries at Yoke's and Safeway this past week, I thought this "shop at home" message was very appropriate.

Now I am trying to figure out how to make enough money to pay off all this shopping in the Keyes family's attempt to keep the local economy afloat…

The name of the city and a few stores has been changed from Boulder City to Sandpoint in this illustration. This story originally ran in the Boulder City News, Boulder City, Nevada.

"Shop Sandpoint! You've heard that request/plea many times.

"But is it really important for you to buy locally? It is if you understand the economic principal regarding the "velocity of money."

"It is if you realize that your purchase, no matter what amount may be multiplied in value many times over.

"If I go to Sandpoint Super Drug and spend $25…and they go to Yoke's and spend that $25 in groceries…and they go to Merwin's Hardware to purchase some needed supplies and they hire a plumber to fix a problem, etc, etc, etc.

"As long as that $25 doesn't leave the immediate vicinity it will provide economic benefit over and over and over again.

"But the minute anyone along this chain and takes the money out of town and spends it, the velocity of money begins somewhere else, not in our community.

"Too simplistic? Simple doesn't always mean incorrect.

"Every purchase you make outside this area deprives many local families the opportunity to benefit from those dollars.

"When you make your choice and that choice is to shop locally, your money benefits many people and helps create a healthy local economy."

Speaking about a local store…if you haven't shopped at Sears in the Bonner Mall recently, you should make a point to go out and see Dan Lister and company.

Lister and his wife, Melanie, have done great things for the Bonner Mall. They have helped raise money for high school activities as well as supported local charities.

The Listers have a great store. Watch this space for some exciting news from Sears in the near future.

It needs to be noted that several local stores have closed their doors during the past few weeks. Home Appliance at the Bonner Mall locked its doors recently. Competition Sounds is gone and Mad Money Dollar Land is no longer.

These three businesses all have something in common. Any guesses?

Congrats to coaches Mark Ewing and Eric Paull for leading the Sandpoint West Athletic Club A's over the Interstate Concrete Mariners to win the Sandpoint Little League Majors championship last weekend.

Future big-leaguers on the A's: Eddie Ogle, Spencer Hanson, Chris Nelson, Kenny Gietzer, Kyle Poole, Bridger Paull, Raymond Lee, Brandon Lawrence, Dustin Pierce, Michael Hubbard, Leonard Fister and Sherman Ewing.

The Mariners were led by coaches Gary Bohrn and Randy Hamilton.

Future hall of famers for the Mariners were: Tyler Jones, Jacob Travers, Jonas Cafferty, Mica Carriere-Hickox, Coy Etzweiller, Jasper Gibson, Tyler Gordon, Ethan Manor, Jeff Dieffenbach, Tevin Hamilton, Ryan Schwartz and Jacob Cladd.

We have a great Little League program here and a tip of the hat to the many volunteers who make it happen.

There outta be a law… against children riding anything without helmets on. Is it just me, or is there a generation of children just waiting for head trauma? Ask anyone at Bonner General's ER if helmets are a good idea and you will hear horror stories.

Can parents be held negligent if they don't have their children wear helmets? Should they be? That's the Bonner County Daily Bee online poll question this week.

Last week's question: Should skateboarding be banned at Sandpoint's Jeff Jones town square? Yes, 68 percent. No, 31 percent with 205 votes.

Warning: The best babysitter in the world is starting driver's education next week. When Amanda Ednie passes the class, I'll alert everyone that the county's roads — and sidewalks — are safe once again. Good luck Amanda… and Adam… and Linda and Logan and all other concerned friends and relatives.

Please e-mail me with any unique Father's Day gifts or traditions you might have. We will print the best in Sunday's paper.

My two favorite Father's Day gifts are now eight and three years old, since you asked.

David Keyes is publisher of the Bee. His column runs Tuesdays.