Shop local this holiday season 

Date:

By Rhea Landholm, brand marketing and communications manager, Center for Rural Affairs

Shopping at a locally-owned and operated business is truly a unique experience.

The atmosphere surrounds you as soon as you step out of your car. Sometimes, holiday music flows through the main thoroughfares of your small town. Almost always, twinkling snowflakes line the streets.

Large storefront windows decorated for the season beam welcoming lights onto the sidewalk. These windows offer a snapshot of what you can expect when you enter the small business.

Upon taking that step inside, chances are you’ll get a friendly “hello.” This likely is the small business owner.

While shopping, the quiet is soothing. It gives you time to ponder that gift you’re looking for. Is it something your loved one will like? You can ask the business owner’s advice. They’ll be happy to chat with you. Sometimes they’ll make suggestions. If they don’t have the item you’re looking for, they may send you to a neighboring store that’s also locally-owned.

You can shop whenever their doors are open. One special day this year to keep in mind is Small Business Saturday, which is Nov. 30. Many of these businesses will have special activities and offers planned specifically for that day.

Small businesses help drive our rural communities. They help our downtowns thrive. This holiday season, and year round, it’s up to us to support them.

Shopping locally bolsters our community’s economy. Each dollar spent can bring in as much as $3.50 to the local economy, according to the American Independent Business Alliance. This gives a hand up to the business, its employees, and allows them to shop in town, multiplying your dollar.

This holiday season, I challenge you to go downtown. Step out of your car. Take in the sights and sounds. Support our small business owners. After all, they are our friends and neighbors.

Share post:

spot_img

Related articles

Two Little Bees, and the joys of nature’s bounty

Carrie Moritz, Gazette             Kyle and Brittany Lessman just wanted to grow some pumpkins. And their land southeast of...

Shop Garretson First!

The holiday season is quickly approaching. The Garretson Commercial Club would like to remind you of the many...

Log In

Latest articles

Election, new playground, new statue

The Garretson School Board met in regular session on April 14, 2025. Main topics of discussion were the...

A deep dive on ordinances for the City of Garretson

By Carrie Moritz, Gazette Garretson City Councilor Brayden Beaner has been working through the City of Garretson's code book...

Local election recap and summary

Though voter turnout was relatively low (it was not as low as it has been in some previous...

COUNCILOR UPDATE

By City Councilor Brayden Beaner This will be the first of what I hope will become monthly updates on...

A windy Jesse James Track meet

The first outdoor meet of the Garretson Track & Field season was held last Saturday on the home...

4 more Games, 2W 2L for Blue Dragon Baseball

Two games on the home field produced two wins for the Garretson Blue Dragon baseball team this past...
s2Member®