Keeping it WEIRD.

Austin’s emphasis on supporting local business is something I really love about the city. According to the Austin Independent Business Alliance, shopping locally has a MUCH bigger impact on the local economy than shopping at a chain:

For every $100 in customer spending at a national chain, the total local economic impact is only $13. The same amount spent with a local merchant yields $45, more than three times the local economic impact.

There are FABULOUS local businesses here that are great alternatives to chain shopping.  Here’s my mini-guide to personal fave locations!

Waterloo Records storefront. (Photo by Annie Mole, under Creative Commons.)

Music:  Waterloo Records is one of the best music stores I’ve ever gone to. They sell tons of music by local and independent artists, host live performances and in-store CD signings, and even sell concert tickets. If you’re an in-and-out shopper, never, ever take me with you to this place. I get lost for hours.

Books:  Book Woman and Book People are both fabulous store that hold events and have huge volumes of great and kooky books. Book People is a two-story fantasy land for book lovers, with sections like cultural studies, religious studies, self-help, children’s, history, politics, magazines and more. Book Woman has a feminist-focus, and even sells zines – if you visit, look for one that I put together with the help of many of my friends, called “Cat Fight!” Issue two is forthcoming.

Food:  Wheatsville was already mentioned in Samantha’s post about co-ops, but it definitely bears repeating – love this grocery store. Also, Mother’s Cafe just recovered from a horrible fire, and is open to delight your bellies.

What are your favorite local dives? Post ‘em!

Keep it weird, Austin.

-Caitlin