What

Local small businesses—constituting 99.9% of all companies—are not merely the backbone of the economy; they are the heart of our communities. These enterprises do more than supply essential services and products; they act as vibrant centers of community life, contributing significantly to local employment and taxation. Yet, alarmingly, these critical community pillars are vanishing, especially in the places where they are needed most: our rural territories, remote locales, and inner cities.

Many of these businesses remain viable, yet they falter due to a critical lack of accessible capital for necessary transitions such as ownership changes, or crucial investments to sustain operations. While individual investors and grassroots initiatives have started stepping up to reinvigorate these businesses with needed funds, the challenge calls for a greater movement. Enter Slow Capitalism: a burgeoning effort dedicated to not only increasing investments in these local enterprises but also reimagining a more altruistic approach to capitalism itself.

Principles

The Slow Capitalism movement is based on four principles. While not rigid rules, the goal is to align capitalism with altruism to promote and sustain local small businesses.

What

Local, Community-Oriented

Local, Community-Oriented

Embracing the mantra to think globally, act locally. The community value of a business is fundamental.

For-Profit Businesses

For-Profit Businesses

Leveraging the power of capitalism to drive innovation and long-term viability.

Ongoing Viability

Ongoing Viability

Investments should support and lead to stewardship of a business with ongoing viability.

Positive ROI

Investments should provide a positive return on investment as measured by community value and asset preservation.

What

What it Isn’t

Philanthropy or charity
Investing in companies whose primary mission is a social purpose
Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)
Buying and running a lifestyle business for “fun”

Examples

Examples of Slow Capitalism at Work

Local family buys and revives local general store crucial to the community.

Owls Head General Store (Maine)

Local family buys and revives local general store crucial to the community.

19 patrons buy a pub in Rathgormack (IE) to buyout 73 year old owner and ensure ongoing viability.

Maudie’s Public House (Ireland)

19 patrons buy a pub in Rathgormack (IE) to buyout 73 year old owner and ensure ongoing viability.

Two chefs, a restaurateur, investors and local land trust launch farm-to-table restaurant on community farm to ensure ongoing viability of the land for the community.

Wander at Longwords (Maine)

Two chefs, a restaurateur, investors and local land trust launch farm-to-table restaurant on community farm to ensure ongoing viability of the land for the community.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and his 'Hamilton partners bought a local bookstore over 100 years old and served as a creative hub in the theater district.

Drama Book Shop (NYC)

Lin-Manuel Miranda and his ‘Hamilton partners bought a local bookstore over 100 years old and served as a creative hub in the theater district.

Three regulars of the coffee shop in Sooke, BC joined together to invest and raise investment for the community coffee shop.

The Stick In The Mud's Roastoreum (British Columbia)

Three regulars of the coffee shop in Sooke, BC joined together to invest and raise investment for the community coffee shop.

After a fire forced the closure of the only store in the small town, the community came together rebuild and reopen the store.

The Genny (Vermont)

After a fire forced the closure of the only store in the small town, the community came together rebuild and reopen the store.

Local family invests and re-opens general store in Saco, Maine, that was a mainstay in the community for over 100 years.

Way Way General Store (Maine)

Local family invests and re-opens general store in Saco, Maine, that was a mainstay in the community for over 100 years.

General store in summer community was saved by new building owners and general manager. Recently made new investment to rebuild a new, bigger building.

Ottawa Beach General Store (Michigan)

General store in summer community was saved by new building owners and general manager. Recently made new investment to rebuild a new, bigger building.

Community members are hoping to save an iconic Santa Monica diner on PCH that’s been serving locals for generations.

NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT—Patrick's Roadhouse (California)

Community members are hoping to save an iconic Santa Monica diner on PCH that’s been serving locals for generations.