I'm Not "Next!" (or Why I Like to Know the Names of the Folks with Whom I Do Business)

The last time I filled up my car (an eight-year-old Toyota Sienna minivan, I'm sorry to report) was in late April. That's because, on May 6, I decided I had had it. Since then, I have put in 35 bucks a week and not a penny more. We've been biking, walking and taking MARTA (the #150 bus goes all over the commercial parts of Dunwoody, by the way, and is a pleasure). I've been using less of the 35 bucks each week and creeping closer and closer to a full tank. Yesterday, for the first time since April, I filled up, and, yes, like an idiot, I videotaped it. Click to view. The barking dog keeps it slightly interesting.

At first, it's hard to go about life on less gas, but over time, I find that my life is changing to accommodate it. One of the most enjoyable changes has been the discovery of such a diversity of local businesses. With a 60-40 ratio of residential to commercial properties, Dunwoody has it all, folks. In addition to the chain places, we have dozens of locally-owned restaurants, shops, and service businesses. In fact, I'm looking for a new dentist and I aim to choose one right here in Dunwoody, preferably one to which I can walk.

Sandy Springs' headquartered Cox Enterprises runs this site, Kudzu.com, where you can search for local service professionals and read reviews of people like you who have actually used these businesses. The search function is sometimes a bit spotty, but I'm now in the habit of "choosing local" when I shop for service businesses.

When you choose local for your business needs, you:

* Keep money circulating in the local economy
* Enhance the social and financial network of our city
* Increase a diversity of choices and encourage healthy competition
* Provide job security and opportunity for individuals and families

Sounds like a sustainable choice to me. What's more, it's way more fun to walk into the 48th Street Market and say hi to Charlie and tell him how that fig tree cutting he gave me two years ago is doing than to walk in to some place that refers to me merely as "Next!"

I'm not "Next!" I'm Pattie. And I want to know the name of the people with whom I do business, too. And frankly, since gas prices are keeping me close to home, why not get to know my city better, starting with its small businesses?