I think we can all agree tacos are one of the most delicious foods in the world. The possibilities for taco making are endless — different meats, cheeses, veggies and salsas make tacos one of the most versatile foods. You could even make a vegan taco if you so desired. If you don’t like tacos, you are either un-American or lack taste buds.
Given my love of tacos, I was quite excited by the addition of Street Tacos to the Route 1 smorgasbord of chain restaurants and overcrowded bars. However, my interest in Street Tacos extends further than my stomach. Street Tacos is one of the few privately owned local restaurants in a city dominated by chain restaurants.
Growing up in a community with a vibrant main street made up of unique businesses has given me a special appreciation for small business. Local businesses have a number of economic and personal benefits for a community.
On a personal level, it is great to go into businesses where you know the owner and employees or to sit down at a restaurant and order the usual. With local businesses, not only are you getting good service, you are also building relationships.
Outside of these intangible personal benefits, supporting local businesses just makes financial sense. Indeed, a 2008 study by Civic Economics found that in Kent County, Mich., a 10 percent shift in consumer spending toward independent businesses could create 1,600 new jobs with an additional $53 million in wages in that county alone. What this data means is you as a consumer can have a positive impact in your community just by eating or shopping at a locally owned business.
Since my arrival at this university, College Park has seen a number of businesses close their doors — ranging from Vertigo Books to Pita Plus. This is no surprise; Local businesses around the country have been struggling in this financial climate.
However, the difference between College Park and, say, Kent County, is we have the opportunity to do something about it. We have the opportunity to make a change in the community we call home for four years of our lives.
Maybe you don’t care. You are here for the university and the local community doesn’t really matter to you. You won’t be around to enjoy future civic improvements, so why does it matter? Perhaps you prefer certain corporate products to their local competitors, and that is your prerogative. But incoming university President Wallace Loh has said that in order to become a world-class university we must engage with our community, and frequenting local businesses is one easy and obvious way to do that.
Now, I love a Chipotle burrito as much as the next person, and this is by no means a condemnation of any of the area’s businesses or a promotion of others. Certainly my minor addiction to Potbelly sandwiches is not going to change.
However, I do think it is important that we as consumers take the time to think about where our money is going and who it is going to. Is it being reinvested in the communities in which we live and work, or is it filling corporate coffers and the wallets of CEOs? Just food for thought.
And if you’re hungry, try a taco.
Rob Riker is a senior government and politics and history major. He can be reached at riker at umdbk dot com.
