Shop Local

To The Eagle,

I’ve been thinking about the conversations around town that say groceries are cheaper if we drive to Longview. At first glance, that may seem true. But when we factor in gas, vehicle wear, and two hours of travel time, the savings aren’t always what they appear to be. And once we’re in a larger city with endless shopping options, many of us spend more than we planned.

Our local Cathlamet Market may not match every big-city price, but it offers something just as important: accessibility, reliability, and community stability. When we run out of milk for cereal, need an ingredient for dinner, or find ourselves between major shopping trips, it’s ten minutes away — not an hour.

Local business owners deserve the chance to earn a living and provide livable wages to their employees. When we shop locally, we support our neighbors, local jobs, and strengthen our town.

If we want our businesses to be here when we need them, we must support them. Shopping local isn’t only about price — it’s about investing in Cathlamet’s future.

Lauralee Relethford,

Skamokawa