I saw this story on Twitter, posted by @shoplocally (site), and it got me wondering. My question applies generally, not only to this store.

If a store is adamant in their “buy-local” support and advocacy, should they refuse to sell to potential buyers that are not also local?

Would accepting online orders from non-local buyers be hypocritical? Would that be stealing sales from other localities and contributing to the problem?

The Day – Longtime toy store stays local by moving online – News from southeastern Connecticut: Groton – For Lisa and Peter Marcus, revamping the Lee’s Toy & Hobby website a little more than a year ago has made all the difference in an industry where small, independent shops have been on the wane for years.  “It’s the difference between going out of business and staying in business,” said Peter Marcus, third-generation owner of a Poquonnock Avenue store that traces its roots to the original 1952 shop on Bank Street in New London. “It’s added business,” Lisa Marcus said. “It’s kept us successful during these economic times.” It’s not so much that online buying has become a major portion of the business – it accounts for only about 5 percent of sales, according to the Marcuses – but having a strong online presence has led to more foot traffic.

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