Pasted from here:
https://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2020/03/submitted-ordering-amazon-shop-local.htmlOrdering Amazon? Shop Local!
With Coronavirus rampant in our country, many of us are turning to online retailers like Amazon for our shopping needs. Someone even forwarded me a list of links to Amazon products that one can easily purchase if they are making Pesach for the first time, as many of us are being forced to do this year. This list contains hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise, from mixers, hot water urns, silverware, pots, cooking equipment, and just about anything else one may need for Pesach preparations.
While resorting to making huge purchases from Amazon may be smart “social distancing” practice, it can have a devastating impact on our local economy at a time when many businesses are suffering terribly. Sending such huge amounts of money to huge corporations will suck the business out of local stores, and will force many Lakewood stores to Ch’v have to close their doors, leaving many jobless.
No, I am not advocating for anyone to put themselves and their families in danger by venturing out needlessly to shop. However, many local stores have made ample arrangements for safe shopping that is no more dangerous than ordering online. Many storeowners have begun to offer free delivery, and most offer curbside pickup. Almost all stores, especially those that have been hit by this financial downturn, are willing to do almost anything the customer wants in order to keep their business afloat.
So, before you load up a heavy online shopping cart and send desperately needed local money out, pick up the phone and call your local storeowner. You may be able to safely get what you need while keeping your brother afloat.
(Note: this author of this does not own a local business and will not benefit personally from this message.)