Shopping Local: Circling Yorkville

I was a woman on a mission (several missions!) this morning.

I hit the local bank branch to deposit some checks.

Then, I stopped at the photo counter at with a concern: The photo CD I had got there did not appear to have any photos on it. The lady was kind enough to confirm the files weren't on the disc and offered to use the negatives to make another CD. (You can . I gave two Yorkville Middle School students disposable cameras last week and they snapped shots of students trying to set a Guinness World Record for largest square dance.)

And then, I was off to for a gallon of milk and some cleaning supplies ... and found some cereal and flavored water I just didn't know I wanted until I saw them.

Finally, I stopped at store for some padded, wicking socks to wear while working out. I knew exactly what I wanted, but not one, but two, employees asked if I needed help. I never looked lost or confused, but still got offers for assistance. How's that for good customer service?

So, I stopped at four local store in Yorkville. Did I shop locally?

The answer is a little complicated, right? I would presume those four operations employ Yorkville residents. I paid sales tax, some of which is funneled back to the city of Yorkville.

But none of those businesses were brick-and-mortar, independently owned locations. The 3/50 Project has a rather complicated definition for "independent" businesses, including that local owners control much of the business' image and function and operate from a brick-and-mortar facility, according to its website. It doesn't count web-based businesses or kiosk businesses, and it certainly doesn't count

The 3/50 Project, which launched in March 2009 with a blog post, challenges consumers to make a point to visit three local, independently owned businesses, according to its website. It also challenges them to spend at least $50 a month at such businesses.

According to the 3/50 Project website:

"For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here."

So, I guess my morning errands didn't do as much as they could for the local economy. But I suppose it was better than running those errands in a completely separate community.

But that makes me wonder: What is "local" to you in shopping local?