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

Hometown Christmas is this Saturday!

            This Saturday, come home for Christmas as Garretson celebrates its annual Hometown Christmas event!             At Hometown Christmas,...

Get ready for Holiday Celebrations here in the Garretson area

            The holiday season is off to a jump start in 2023! It began this past Saturday with...

Follow up on the Sports Cabin as it’s changed hands

            As a follow up to last week’s story about the transfer of ownership from Ernie Smith to...

It takes a village 

By Jessica Campos, Women’s Business Center director, Center for Rural Affairs             This holiday season, pitching in to support...

Log In

Latest articles

Phase One of 4th street project nears completion

Concrete crews have completed all concrete work on 4th Street, Center Avenue and Canyon Avenue including curb and...

Williamson proud of his service & grateful for the Honor Flight

By Garrick Moritz, Gazette Mark Williamson was pretty humble about his recent trip to Washington DC on an Honor...

Jasper man dies in fatal crash

Minnehaha County, S.D.- A Jasper, MN man died in a collision Thursday evening, November 14, three miles north...

Pierret Benefit Well Supported

Though we have not received the final tally of funds raised at the Mark Pierret Benefit held on...

GHS Football celebrates players

The GHS Annual Football Banquet honored the parents and players after a rough season on Monday, Nov. 18. The...

A new sport at Garretson

The rise of powerlifting across the state has found its way back to the Blue Dragons by Delilah Johnson,...
s2Member®