“Shop local” is hardly an original or inventive slogan or objective in cities and towns of all sizes all over the country.

Still, the concept has many benefits and strengthens the fabric of a community.

The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce plans to formally launch the Maximize Minot campaign Nov. 1 with one of its several admirable goals being to encourage shopping locally. Hopefully business operators embrace their own responsibility in increasing shopping activity downtown.

Even those who will embrace the shop local philosophy in shopping terms will only embrace so far. If one needs a few every weekend home sweatshirts – in January – for example, it is the rare intrepid soul who will brave the elements for downtown (or even the mall) to buy those products. It isn’t as if our weather usually inspires outdoor window shopping. At this point in history, it’s unrealistic that many people will have Alexa order those sweatshirts, cheap, and have them delivered the next day. It will only become more the norm in the future.

Now, merchants that always consider the “local” in shop local will be the ones that succeed. Uniqueness is key. When a merchant offers products that can’t be found online from anyone else – when there is a critical mass of similar businesses – shopping local can be a huge success.

Now, many downtown merchants don’t need Minot Daily News to broadcast this. They know. Maybe consumers do. Maybe future merchants will. The same really goes for other shopping areas that could benefit from a shop local push. Provide a distinct experience, local products and friendly service and local shoppers will find their way to you.