Tis the season, as they say. ’Tis the season to be jolly. ’Tis the season to bundle up and drink hot chocolate. ’Tis the season to spend extra time with loved ones. ’Tis the season to start your holiday shopping — if you haven’t already. And ’tis the season to shop local.
This week marks the official start to the holiday shopping season, but if you’ve been out and about this month, you have noticed holiday decorations and specials at stores throughout our area.
Much of the attention of the holiday shopping season falls on two days — Black Friday and, now, Cyber Monday — but don’t forget to shop local for your holiday gifts.
Keeping your spending dollars in your hometown, or at least in the region, has immense benefits on the local economy.
Even companies as large as American Express are touting the importance of shopping local. The company started the now well-known Small Business Saturday — the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the day after Black Friday — in 2010 to promote small businesses. Last year, a study reported an estimated $5.7 billion was spent at small businesses on that day!
A vibrant and successful local business community has a trickle-down effect on our own pockets. Just think:
• Successful local businesses make other businesses want to locate in our town.
• More businesses equals more ratables, which, in turn, lowers our taxes.
• The more ratables we have, and the lower our taxes are, the more attractive our community becomes to future residents.
It all starts with you. If you have a choice between buying a gift at a big box store or a local mom-and-pop, support your neighbors by making that purchase locally.
Our small businesses are already fighting an uphill battle against the marketing dollars of the big box stores.
Let’s all help them out by opening their doors and opening our wallets to them. We can make it a truly happy holiday season.
