Ditch the Big Box Stores: How to Make the April 18-20 Blackout (and Every Day) a Win for Your Community
Why Economic Blackout Day Matters: Ditch Big-Box & Shop Local
After a successful nationwide Economic Blackout on February 28, the movement is back—this time extended all weekend long.
From Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20, small businesses across the country are asking you to skip the big box stores and shop local instead.
Economic Blackout Day is a movement started by The People’s Union to boycott big-box stores with bad policies and send a clear message about where our money should go. But why stop there? Instead of simply avoiding Amazon, Walmart, or Target, take it a step further: shift your spending to support small, locally owned businesses.
The idea is simple. Instead of feeding mega-corporations that prioritize profits over people, invest in the businesses that strengthen your community, create jobs, and actually care about your support. Every dollar you spend shapes the future of your local economy—so why not give it to businesses that give back?
Consider this: For every $100 spent at a local business, at least $68 stays in your community. Spend that same amount at a big-box store, and only $43 stays, if you’re lucky. Shop online with a corporate giant, and almost nothing benefits your town. Your money just disappears from the local economy.
The good news? Ditching big-box stores doesn’t mean missing out. It means choosing quality, sustainability, and community over convenience. Blackout Day isn’t about sacrificing what you love—we think it’s about gaining something better.
Here’s how you can enjoy your usual Friday night plans, tackle your to-do list, and shop with intention—all while keeping your dollars where they matter most.
Skip the Big Chains—And Still Have an Amazing Weekend
Skipping big-box stores and large retailers doesn’t mean sacrificing the little joys that make the weekend feel special. You can still treat yourself, enjoy great food, and check things off your to-do list—without handing your hard-earned money to corporate giants.
The key? A few simple swaps. Here are three easy ways to shop small, support local businesses, and make the most of your weekend.
🍽️ Friday Night Done Right: Ditch Fast Food and Make Dinner Special
The Habit: It’s Friday night, and you’re exhausted. The easiest choice? Swinging by McDonald’s or heading to a big retail chain to grab groceries for the weekend. It’s quick, it’s convenient—but it also sends more of your hard-earned money straight into the pockets of corporations that see you as nothing more than a transaction.
The Alternative: Why not plan ahead and turn Friday into a celebration at home?
Stock up early: Stop by a neighborhood grocer or farmer’s market earlier in the week and pick up fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Not only will your meal taste better, but you’ll be supporting farmers and small businesses that keep your community thriving. If you don’t have a local grocer, look for alternative products by small indie brands at your usual grocery store.
Upgrade your kitchen tools: Cooking feels more special when you have beautiful, high-quality tools. A handcrafted wood spatula, wood cutting board, or olive wood mortar and pestle from Scrappy’s Workshop turns meal prep into an experience, not just a chore.
Make it an occasion: Instead of defaulting to whatever is fastest, try that new recipe you’ve been saving. Light a candle, pour a drink, put on your favorite playlist—make it a moment to savor, not just another meal.
The Message: Skipping big-box stores doesn’t mean going without—it means choosing quality over convenience, investing in businesses that invest in you, and making everyday moments feel special. Treat yourself to a real meal, support the businesses that care about your community, and start a Friday night tradition worth keeping.
🧼 Spring Cleaning: Refresh Your Home with Non-Toxic, Local Alternatives
The Habit: The weather is warming up, and you’re ready for a fresh start. The default move? Adding a haul of cleaning supplies to your Amazon cart or grabbing disposable wipes, dryer sheets, and synthetic sprays from Target. It’s easy, but it also means spending more on single-use products that create waste—and sending your dollars straight to corporations that don’t reinvest in your community.
The Alternative: Refresh your home the smarter way—without the waste, the big-box spending, or the guilt.
Ditch the disposables. Swap wasteful, chemical-laden products for sustainable, refillable alternatives. Pick up all-purpose cleaning spray, miracle cleaning bombs, and laundry soap—or switch to reusable Swedish dishcloths and wool dryer balls from Scrappy’s Workshop. They work better, last longer, and keep more waste out of landfills.
Let nature do the work. Open the windows, let in fresh air, and enjoy a home reset without cluttering your space with unnecessary purchases. A fresh breeze does more for your home (and your mood) than any artificially scented spray ever could.
Shop your own space. Instead of buying new sheets or trendy décor, try rearranging furniture, decluttering, or rotating pieces you already love. A thoughtful refresh doesn’t have to cost a thing.
The Message: Your home deserves better than mass-produced junk. Clean better, shop smarter, and invest in high-quality, sustainable essentials that actually last.
🛁 Upgrade Your Self-Care Routine: Better Bath & Body Without the Big Brands
The Habit: It’s easy to toss shampoo, soap, and skincare into your Target cart or schedule an Amazon auto-ship without thinking twice about it. But mass-produced bath and body products are often filled with questionable ingredients—and your money just disappears into corporate profits.
The Alternative: Turn your everyday routine into an indulgent ritual with locally made, high-quality bath and body products. Shopping small isn’t just about where you buy—it’s about treating yourself to better ingredients, better quality, and a better experience.
Transform your shower into a spa: Instead of restocking at Target, swap out generic body wash for a handcrafted bar of soap made with skin-loving oils, natural scents, and no harsh chemicals. It’s a simple upgrade that makes every shower feel luxurious.
Give your hair the treatment it deserves: Ditch the mass-market shampoo and conditioner filled with fillers and synthetic fragrances. Instead of grabbing a new bottle this weekend, try all-natural shampoo and conditioner bars that nourish and protect your hair without all the plastic waste.
Make Friday night feel special. Light a candle, run a warm bath, and unwind with handcrafted skincare products that make self-care feel intentional. A simple soak with a locally made bath bomb or rejuvenating with locally made moisturizer can turn an ordinary night into a relaxing reset.
The Message: Shopping small doesn’t mean going without—it means upgrading your life in ways that matter. Ditch the big-box brands and embrace high-quality, artisan-made products that support your skin, your well-being, and your local community.
The Bigger Picture: Small Choices Add Up
Choosing local isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. You don’t have to overhaul your entire shopping routine overnight. Small shifts make a big impact.
Start with one simple swap. Replace a single big-box habit—whether it’s your cleaning supplies, your Friday night dinner routine, or your daily self-care products—with a locally made alternative. Every swap counts.
Think beyond this weekend. Economic Blackout Day is a reminder, but real change happens when we make these choices year-round. Shopping small isn’t just a statement—it’s a sustainable way to support your community and improve your own life.
Support businesses that support you. Local shops provide jobs, keep money in your town, and create high-quality products with care and integrity. When you choose them over corporate giants, you’re strengthening your local economy and making a direct impact.
Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Why not make yours count?
So, what will you swap first?
Take a Stand: Shop Local & Keep Money in Your Community
Stop by or shop online to stock up on quality, locally made essentials—from handcrafted kitchenware to sustainable home goods.
And if you aren’t in New York or part of our community, support your local retailers and small businesses where you live!
Join the shop local movement—because where you spend your money matters.
Let’s make 2025 your most eco-friendly year yet with great sustainable products from Scrappy’s Workshop!