ok, I want to talk about consumerism in AK..
Anyone want to chat?
After a lot of debate, I decided to ask for a high end purse as my next gift from dp.. I had seen the PBS special about how knockoffs feed child labor and even terrorists, so this was something I wanted to do- buy one quality handbag that would last a LONG time that had good company policies..
After doing some research I decided to get a Coach (there are many companies out there that seemed to fit my criteria, but I wanted to try the bag ON for fit, so I was looking locally).. and Coach and Nordstrom carry them.. I found a style that fit well and I started calling around to consignment shops (I would REALLY have rather bought used rather than new.. but still..)..
Would you believe that some shops in Anchorage have D&G? Jimmy Choo? When the heck did THAT happen? I have SUCH a hard time picturing an Alaskan woman walking around with D&G on her arm and Jimmy Choo on her feet.. really.. maybe I'm old fashioned, but I am an Eddie Bauer kind of girl.. wow.. when did Anchorage become couture? I mean, I always new that Nordstrom carried some high end names, but I have a hard time putting everything I saw on Nordys..
(BTW I ended up buying a new Sabrina at the Coach store.. I got a great discount with a coupon and I had trouble finding a 12 inch drop on the handle length that I needed with some of the other styles..)
To add to the conversation even further.. if you wanted to buy as locally/local owned as possible, where would you get the things that meet your basic needs?
Gas for my vehicle? (no idea)
I could probably outfit my entire family off of consignment shops and thrift stores, but if I wanted to buy clothing new? Junior Towne? Where for women's/men's?
Baby stuff- Sugar and Spice (plan on shopping there for the new babe anyway, whenever we decide to make that happen..
)
butcher- Mr. Prime Beef
Bakery- Charlie's? (or bake my own I guess) Is G. Harvest locally owned? Franchise?
Grocery- New Segaya (shop there a lot anyway, so..)
banking- AK USA
Other ideas? And how do franchises fit in this picture? Cold Stone is locally owned but I believe it is a franchise, so?? I would REALLY like my money to be spent as locally as possible, so to me that seems like the mom and pop shops, but I am not sure how franchises work, if a percent goes back to corporate or not?
I went to Dos Manos on N Lights once, lots of cool handmade items.. but the political signs I saw in there made me want to back out the door and RUN.. (not trying to break rules here and get political, just saying that that particular store made me feel uncomfortable/unwelcome)..
Thoughts? Recommendations?