Every day, people choose where to shop, eat, and spend, but it’s not always clear which businesses are truly locally owned. In a world where private equity firms are buying up hometown favorites and blending them into national chains, it’s harder than ever to tell what’s still independent.
That’s where the Locally Owned and Operated certification comes in.
We created it to help consumers identify and support businesses that are rooted in their community, places where the owners live nearby, hire locally, and reinvest close to home.
This isn’t just about shopping small. It’s about preserving the character of our neighborhoods, keeping dollars in the local economy, and making sure the businesses we love stay in the hands of people who care.
The choice to support local shouldn’t be a guessing game. Now, it doesn’t have to be.
This program is proudly sponsored by Mainshares, a company dedicated to keeping small businesses locally owned for the long haul.
Mainshares helps retiring owners sell their businesses to the next generation of local operators, often longtime employees, rather than to outside buyers. They provide the capital, structure, and support to make that transition possible, ensuring that these businesses don’t just survive, but thrive with new local leadership.
Through this partnership, we’re not only recognizing local ownership, we’re actively protecting it.
