In Tahoe/Truckee, every purchase tells a story about the kind of community we want to live in.

Choosing local doesn’t just mean skipping the online cart — it means investing in our neighbors, our environment, and the character of our mountain towns.

That story carries forward. Local businesses reinvest in community projects, sponsor youth programs, and are often the first to step up in times of need. They also help preserve what makes Tahoe/Truckee exceptional, from creative shops and local food to products that reflect our region’s spirit. Shopping closer to home reduces emissions and traffic, a goal our community talks about often.

But beyond economics and impact, buying local is about connection. It’s about knowing the people behind the counter, trusting their expertise, and supporting those who support us.

Here’s how five of our staffers keep their dollars circulating close to home.

Ever since I cancelled my Amazon Prime account earlier this year, I have been ordering books from Word After Word in Truckee. You order on their website, and if they have it in stock you can pick it up right away, or if they don’t, they will order the book for you. The friendly staff lets you know when the book is ready and it’s at the counter waiting for you. Easy. Plus, I like having an excuse to pop into the store and browse other books. ~ MS

My local dollars typically flow toward Mountain Hardware, Trout Creek Outfitters, Bike Truckee, Tahoe Lab, and Dark Horse. When I can’t find something I need, I’ll often try to make it from components I can find locally. I like to tinker, anyway. My bike basket is an example. I built it to carry all my fishing gear and many of its components came from ACE, the bike itself came from Bike Truckee, and many adventures are fueled by a spiced chai from Dark Horse. ~ SM

I spend my money on coffee. Local coffee. Local delicious coffee. I am not a Folgers fan. I like it fresh. My dog and I spend our time working on our laptops in coffee shops such as Dark Horse, Drink Coffee Do Stuff, and Coffee Bar. I come for the atmosphere; he comes for the pup cups. I always have a few bags of beans on standby for when I leave town. Nothing like a taste of Truckee pre-surf session. ~ WS

Buying local is about connection. It’s about knowing the people behind the counter, trusting their expertise, and supporting those who support us.

Ski boots, and really all things skiing. Gotta feel it out, gotta breathe it in. Can’t do that stuff with a click. ~ JG

It’s true: You are what you eat. Food is your fuel and how you eat is a huge factor in how you impact the world. For 25-plus years I have been shopping at locally owned and operated New Moon Natural Foods and subscribing to Mountain Bounty’s CSA. Food this good becomes an easy habit to keep. ~ MP