February 27th, 2020:

	I made a resolution a few years ago to support more local (and 
preferably independent) businesses.  Sadly, there were always excuses to 
shop at the big box stores, have groceries and fast-food delivered, and 
(ugh) give more of our money to BezosCo.

Not anymore.

Frankly, our local economy needs the money, and we really need to 
support.

I had a lull in the action at work this morning, so I hit the despised 
Google Maps to see what they tell me is nearby (with a vow to update 
OpenStreetMap with local businesses).

Confining my search to the immediate vicinity (south of the river, east of 
the Perimeter Hwy, west of the far edge of the forest, and north of the 
Manitoba Hydro substation), I found nearly a hundred businesses and 
amenities.  All within walking or easy cycling distance (or a short drive 
for my wife and daughter who enjoy neither).

For instance, in terms of eateries, there are no less than THIRTY-ONE 
restaurants nearby.  Of those thirty-one, eight are franchisees of 
international chains, two are franchisees of Canadian chains, and five are 
locations of strictly Winnipeg restaurants.  That leaves sixteen locally 
owned-and-operated restaurants.  We've been to a few but ultimately want 
to try them all.

As for the other businesses and amenities, I've only included registered 
businesses with an actual storefront or office.  These ran the gamut from 
medical clinics, physiotherapy clinics, clothing stores, tailors, grocery 
stores, pharmacy and drugstores, convenience stores, gas stations/car 
washes, used car lots, auto mechanics, landscapers and yard supply stores, 
tanning salons, hair/nail/esthetics salons, veterinary clinics, financial 
and banking institutions, accounting and legal firms, and two butchers.

We even have a high-end drapery place, cooking school, and public library.

These are just the businesses with actual storefronts and offices - I know 
there's a number of businesses running out of basements and garages just 
waiting to be discovered!

Looking at my list, there isn't a lot we can't source from our local 
businesses... and what we can't buy can be had from the outlet mall just 
outside of my search boundary, or from the shops across the river.

Armed with that information, we don't have a lot of excuses NOT to buy 
local.

--

Speaking of local fare, we're looking forward to dinner tonight.  A friend 
of my wife makes frybread, bannock dogs, and (indigenous) Indian Tacos and 
sells them from out of her house (she's licensed with food handling 
permits!).  I'll be picking them up after work.  Support your local 
cottage industry!