On Sunny Lane: Keep It Local

I went shopping with a friend last week.

I am a no-frills shopper. I go to the stores with a certain item in mind. Nothing else will do. As you may have guessed, I am often disappointed.

Last week I wanted to purchase a certain brand of jeans, in a certain style, in a certain size. I also wanted to buy a certain brand of undergarments (My mother used to call them unmentionables.) in a certain style, in a certain size. I had already been to four stores in three different counties and not found what I was looking for.

I had seen those very items in two of those stores a couple of years ago, when I had last purchased them. Actually, there were a few stragglers in a couple of those stores, but they were not my size. When I asked the clerk where the items were that were in my size, the answer was always that the store doesn’t carry them any more. So, my friend and I went to the nearby outlet mall in hopes of finding what I wanted.

I was trying to find a substitute for the jeans, but the ones I tried on did not fit the way I would have liked. That is why I like to buy a special style of a special brand in my special size. I had no desire to hunt for more jeans, so we moved on to hunt for the “unmentionables.”

We went to a store that specializes in the very item I was looking for, as well as other related items. Lo and behold! I found what I was looking for! And in my size! I bought two of them. There was one remaining, but I left it for another woman who, like me, was searching for a particular brand in a particular style in a particular size. The clerk said they were no longer getting that article of clothing in.

Incidentally, there is another criteria I look for in clothing, as well as other things I need. That is the “Made in the USA” tag. I seldom see it any more. In fact, it was starting to disappear clear back in the 1980s. I made it a point to look for it when I am shopping and have encouraged others to do the same. I have put down things that I really liked because they were made in a country that is our enemy. I also hope to support American workers.

I am beginning to see fewer products made in that adversarial country, but, unfortunately, are made in countries that also employ people who are forced to work in poor conditions.

It is hard for me to practice idealistic principles when I have so little to work with. I’m hoping there will come a time when I will see that “Made in USA” tag more often.

I’m glad we now have some people who are in a position to make that happen.

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Dorothy is the author of two books—“Miles and Miracles” and “Getting It All Together “. You can purchase a book or send a comment by emailing her at dorothybutzknight@gmail.com