As the internet makes the world seem smaller and smaller, it is easy to forget that you are part of a local business ecosystem. As you make purchase decisions your choices impact the local economy. If, like me you are concentrating in a specific community, hoping to generate revenue from that community, then you need to put money into that community.

As consumers, we have power.  Use it to actively support the businesses you care about and force change in the ones we don’t. Seth Godin summed it up well when he said:

If you don’t like what an organization stands for, work actively to spread the word and force them to change
AND
If you will miss a product, a service, a book, a site or a professional when they close up shop, stand up, speak up and bring them masses of new business.

This was the theme of my presentation at Rainmakers last month.  ( I just got the video links) .    The video is in two parts and it contains a serious call to support local businesses.

With this local focus  in mind, I thought I would  share just a few of my favorite local restaurants.  These are places I would miss if they were gone. I hope you will consider voting with your dollars this holiday season, paying them a visit, and helping to build a strong local economy.

No links to websites sorry, but more importantly I have listed address so you can check them out yourself.

Ocean World on 86th Street and Ditch. Some of the best and most reasonably priced sushi in town. The food is so good it is easy to overlook the mediocre service. It is usually busy, but not overcrowded at lunch time, 1/2 prices specials on Sunday, and always a long wait on Friday night.

LaPeidad 6524 Cornell Ave – Great, authentic TexMex. Fast friendly service, good food, reasonable price. Nice outdoor dining when the weather permits. When I need a TexMex Fix this is my favorite.

Kona Jack – Meridian and 96th Street – Not to be confused with the Kona Grill chain in Clay Terrace. This Indy tradition has a wonderful, diverse fish menu, and even sells fresh fish for you to take home and prepare yourself. Sharing a kitchen with Daddy Jacks, you can often convince your waitress to serve something off the menu from the other side.

Santorini Greek Kitchen – 1417 Prospect Street, in Fountain Square – Well worth the trip to Fountain Square for the huge portions, home-style Greek food, and great service. It is also the only place in the city that makes Eggplant parmesan the way I like it – I think you will too.

These are  just a few of my favorites. What are yours? List them here, and more importantly, pay them a visit this month!