I make a conscious effort to shop local even when it means a few more cents (or dollars). I have a family of four who live on the income of two and sometimes shopping local is simply out of our price range. But, for the most part, I make an effort. I buy Meadowbrook Dairy products even though the store brand is cheaper, I buy Dad's cat food even if Friskies is on sale, I choose Channelock pliers for my Dad's birthday gift, I buy Arrowhead or Mazza wines at the liquor store, etc.

But, some area businesses make it hard for us to support them. Two that come to mind - that I've been foiled by recently are Erie County Farms and Nickel Plate Mills.

In both cases, I've been standing at their doors, money in hand, ready to spend it all in their establishments, and they're not open.

I have -- for two growing seasons now -- wanted to support Nickel Plate Mills and buy my flowers and vegetable plants there, but on weekdays they are closed by 5 or 6 p.m. -- even in the spring when everyone is planting and it's light out until 9 p.m.! I can understand why they might not want to be open after 5 p.m. most times of the year, but...if you sold plants and flowers, wouldn't you expand your hours in May and June? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve “swung by” there after work only to realize they’re closed. So, of course, I take my dollars up the road to Kmart or to one of the big box home improvement stores where they have store hours that allow people who work to shop there. On a brighter note — Stan’s Garden Center has very customer-friendly summer hours (and yes, I spend more than a few of our hard-earned dollars here).

Erie County Farms, of course, is legendary for treating their customers like crap. Since they close at 6 p.m. every day (and I work a 10-hour work day), going there after work is not an option for me. I'm stuck with Saturdays which means I’m also stuck with taking two kids with me. The last time I went there I was waiting in line full of angry people, with two cranky preschoolers, shivering in the freezing cold (I think it was March) and it was more than 20 minutes after the store was supposed to have opened. We left and I've never been back. There is no amount savings that justifies that sort of shoddy customer service. I just won’t stand for it. Again...the big grocery stores win because they open on time and have convenient hours (and heck, a couple even have babysitting so I can shop to my heart’s content).

I want to shop local, but, customer service counts -- particularly with women. And, if you aren't offering it, women will go elsewhere -- and take their entire household income with them (because in most households, the woman does all the shopping).