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Barnstable offers plenty of locally owned businesses like clothing stores, restaurants, gift shops, local services, and more. A recent study by the research firm Civic Economics found that local retailers return an average of 52 percent of their revenue to the local economy, compared with just 14 percent for chain retailers. Similarly, local restaurants re-circuluate an average of 79 percent of their revenue locally, compared to 30 percent for chain eateries.

We’d like to know why you support local businesses in our community. Is it to show support for our local entrepreneurs because of the unique products they offer? Are there barriers that prevent you from shopping at local businesses more frequently? Would different hours of operation, greater availability of parking, or a greater diversity of available products make you more likely to shop at a local business?