In Brentwood, Tennessee—where tree-lined streets meet vibrant shopping centers and neighbors still wave to each other across the yard—community isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a way of life. And at the heart of that lifestyle lies a simple but powerful act: choosing to shop local.

Supporting locally owned businesses is more than a nice idea or a passing trend. It’s an economic and civic necessity, one that directly impacts the strength of our public schools, the quality of our infrastructure, the responsiveness of our emergency services, and yes—even our property tax rates. When we spend our dollars here in Brentwood instead of sending them to out-of-state corporations or massive online retailers, we’re not just making a purchase—we’re making an investment. In our city. In our neighbors. In ourselves.

The Brentwood Difference

Brentwood is a community that prides itself on excellence. From our nationally ranked public schools to our pristine parks and walking trails, we have a lot to protect—and a lot to preserve. But maintaining this high standard of living doesn’t happen by accident. It takes funding, and a significant portion of that funding comes from local sales tax revenues.

When you shop at a locally owned boutique in Hill Center, enjoy lunch at a homegrown café in Brentwood Place, or pick up a gift from a neighborhood vendor at CityPark, a portion of that transaction goes straight into the city’s revenue stream. That money helps fund Brentwood Police Department patrol cars, keep our libraries open, support local road improvements, and even help offset the need for increased property taxes.

Local Dollars, Local Impact

Here’s a simple truth: money spent in Brentwood stays in Brentwood—if you let it.

According to the American Independent Business Alliance, for every $100 spent at a local business, approximately $68 stays in the community through wages, taxes, local services, and reinvestment. Compare that to just $43 that stays when shopping at a national chain, or even less when shopping online from an out-of-state warehouse. The economic ripple effect of shopping local is profound.

Every dollar that circulates locally supports real people—our neighbors—who own, manage, and work at these businesses. That’s the barista who knows your name and your coffee order. The florist who donates centerpieces to the school auction. The family who owns the restaurant sponsoring your child’s soccer team.

This is what economic sustainability looks like: a thriving ecosystem where businesses support schools, residents support businesses, and the community flourishes as a result.

The Real Cost of Convenience

We all love convenience. The ease of clicking a button and having an item show up on your doorstep in two days is tempting, especially in today’s fast-paced world. But the real cost of that convenience isn’t always measured in dollars.

Every purchase you make online is a missed opportunity to fund our city’s future. It’s a missed opportunity to keep local businesses afloat, especially as they recover from the aftershocks of a pandemic and weather ongoing inflation. It’s a missed opportunity to ensure our children go to well-funded schools and our emergency services remain fully staffed and equipped.

Yes, online shopping may save you a trip. But shopping local saves our city.

Keeping Property Taxes in Check

Ask any Brentwood resident what they value about living here, and you’re likely to hear about the well-maintained parks, the library, responsive emergency services, and the top-tier public education system. These are all quality-of-life benefits made possible through city funding, which includes sales tax revenues generated from local commerce.

When local spending decreases, the city has fewer resources to draw from. And when that happens, municipalities are often left with two options: cut services or raise property taxes. Brentwood has long benefited from a balanced fiscal approach—keeping property taxes relatively low while maintaining exceptional public services. But that balance depends on a healthy stream of local economic activity.

The simple act of choosing to dine at a locally owned restaurant or pick up gifts from a boutique instead of buying online helps keep that balance intact. Your spending choices today can directly influence whether your property taxes rise tomorrow.

Investing in Our Schools

Williamson County Schools, including those in Brentwood, are some of the most highly regarded in the state—and even the nation. Maintaining that reputation takes continuous investment: in teachers, technology, infrastructure, and support services. While school funding comes from a mix of sources, including state and county contributions, a strong local economy helps make up the difference in budget gaps and special projects.

Whether it’s funding for a new gymnasium, modern STEM labs, or arts and music programs, local sales tax dollars provide much-needed financial support. When you shop local, you’re not just helping a small business thrive—you’re helping a classroom flourish.

Building Community, One Transaction at a Time

Shopping local is about more than economics. It’s about connection.

In Brentwood, we have the unique privilege of knowing the people behind our favorite businesses. We shake their hands at church, chat with them at the market, and see their families cheering in the stands at high school games. That level of connection builds a social fabric that makes our city stronger and more resilient.

When you shop local, you’re helping preserve that small-town feel in a world that increasingly feels impersonal. You’re participating in a cycle of mutual support—where businesses give back to the community because the community gave to them.

What You Can Do Today

Supporting local doesn’t have to mean a major lifestyle overhaul. It starts with simple choices:

• Dine at a locally owned restaurant instead of a chain. Brentwood is home to culinary gems like Mere Bulles, Soy Bistro, and the new Jonathan’s Grille.
• Buy gifts at local boutiques like Hot Pink, Hemline, or Katy’s Hallmark Shop instead of clicking “add to cart” on a national website.
• Attend local events and farmers markets, where your money supports artisans, growers, and vendors who live right here in our city.
• Use local services—from dry cleaners and dentists to fitness studios and florists.

These decisions, though small in the moment, collectively have the power to shape the future of Brentwood.

Conclusion: Local First, Brentwood Always

At Reveal Brentwood, our mission is to celebrate all the ways we live, eat, shop, and play here in our incredible community. And shopping local touches all four pillars. It’s how we live responsibly, how we eat with intention, how we shop with purpose, and how we play with heart.

Let’s make a pact to support our neighbors, invest in our schools, and preserve the Brentwood we all know and love. Because when we choose Brentwood first, everybody wins.

For more ways to live, shop, eat, and play in Brentwood, scan the QR code below to download the Reveal Brentwood app. Your city, your way—on the go.