Recently, I had a great experience at a local sporting goods store that served as a wonderful reminder of the value of shopping local.

My 10-year-old son, Theodore, attended a summer lacrosse camp where he won a brand-new lacrosse head as a prize. Like many things in life, however, the prize came with a catch—it was just the head. No shaft. No mesh. No strings. Just enough to send us on a mission.
Over the years, I've become a fan of lacrosse. It's an exciting sport with constant action, plenty of scoring, and just enough physical play to keep things interesting. And while I enjoy watching the game, I quickly realized I knew absolutely nothing about stringing a lacrosse head.

The simple way to upgrade a lacrosse stick would be to just buy a complete stick off the shelf. Theodore had other ideas. He wanted to choose the color of the mesh and sidewalls, match everything to his new head, and have it strung specifically for his position as a midfielder. Apparently, these details matter a great deal to a 10-year-old lacrosse player.

Fortunately, we found a local retailer with the exact expertise we needed. They patiently walked Theodore through his options, explained how different stringing styles affect performance, and how he could create a custom-built stick that was uniquely his. Our mission turned out to be a memorable experience.

That's the difference local retailers make. They don't simply sell products—they solve problems, share knowledge, and provide personalized service that simply can't be replicated by clicking a button online.Whether it's outfitting a young athlete, helping a customer find the perfect gift, or providing expert advice on a specialized purchase, local retailers deliver value every day. They’re innovators, employers, neighbors, and community partners. Most importantly, they are the backbone of Michigan's communities, creating the personal connections and expertise that keep customers coming back.