Keep Your Community Unique: Shop Small!
This past weekend, shoppers across the country flooded local shops to support Small Business Saturday – a day that encourages people across the country to support small, local businesses. In 2016, shoppers were reported to have spent over $15 million at independent retailers and restaurants, encouraging support of their local communities. As the busy season kicks off, try to remember your local favorites for some of your holiday festivities.
Supporting the communities where we live, work, and do business
Did you know that there are over over 28 million small businesses in the United States? These businesses employ over 56 million employees and account for 99.7% of all business in the United States.1 These numbers support the movement away from big-box and chain businesses. Small, local businesses bring a unique shopping scene to their respective communities and curate customer-centric product assortments, tastes, and activities. Not to mention, business owners are typically members of the community, friends, neighbors, and clients of other businesses throughout the community. When you support small business, you’re funneling more money into the local economy, keeping your community unique, and getting a more personalized experience.
Supporting small businesses doesn’t stop at shopping - North High Brewing
North High Brewing, launched in 2011 by founders Gavin Meyers and Tim Ward, is Columbus Ohio’s, first and only brew-on-premises craft brewery, allowing its customers to become the brewmasters. North High also brews high-quality craft beer to serve in their taproom. They distribute on tap local, as well as, cans across the state of Ohio. Gavin and Tim met in grad school at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business and had the idea to create a new brewery in Columbus – that focuses on the experience of brewing. North High Brewing targets aficionados who want high-quality beer.
The Taproom is housed in a historic building in Columbus’ Short North neighborhood. It has been fully restored and features repurposed architectural elements from throughout Ohio, including windows and doors from historic Ohio State University buildings, post offices, and even an 1870s distillery. North High went through a large expansion due to high demand for their beer, going from a two-barrel operation to a 20-barrel operation, taking their goal of crafting award-winning beer to the next level. So, get out there and support your local businesses. While you’re out shopping, pop into a local brewery and enjoy yourself!
We help small businesses manage their energy
When you’re running a business, your priorities can shift each day. The business owner could serve as the product expert, the repair man, the janitor, the shelf stocker, and the cash wrap associate all in one shift. And as the owner, your budget is always top of mind. Money saved is money that could be invested back into the business to make it even better.
"IGS is a great partner. They save us on utility costs, and more importantly go out of their way to support our small business."
- Tim Ward, Co-Founder of North High Brewing
IGS Energy is proud to serve many small businesses across the country throughout the year by providing a predictable energy rate and a wide range of products that give our customers peace of mind.