Shopping Local This Holiday Season

Shopping Local This Holiday Season

December 11, 2015

Even though it doesn’t feel like it from a weather perspective, the holiday season is fast approaching. I do a lot less holiday shopping than I used to. My family draws names; so each family member only buys for one other member and then small stocking stuffers for the whole group. My family will also host two international students, one from Ghana and one from South Korea, so I will buy a couple of gifts for the students as well. And, of course, there is no way to resist buying for my niece and nephew.

I’ve already stocked up on a couple of Wisconsin cookbooks by author Terese Allen for some Wisconsin friends. She was the guest speaker at the annual meeting of Rollo  Jamison and Mining Museums. She gave a fantastic presentation on regional Wisconsin recipes and how our food reflects our natural environment and our ethic heritage. I’m going to swing by the museum store for some other history-­‐related gifts.

I’ve also got Sofi and Ethan covered thanks to  Hen and Chicks on Main Street. I was able to get some great advice about both age appropriate choices and toys that might appeal to autistic children.

I’ll be doing more local shopping as the snow starts to fly. And not just for the Santa Bucks! Although earning Santa Bucks to bid on prizes through the Platteville Chamber of Commerce is a nice bonus (look for participating businesses here). 

The Retail Coach gives five great reasons to support our local businesses:​

1.    Improve our local economy.

Remember that every time you spend a dollar, you are impacting the big picture of our hometown and contributing to community liveliness. Most likely, the small businesses you are patronizing, are owned by someone who lives in our community. That means that the money you spend locally will be recycled back into our local economy.

2.    Generate opportunity.

Not only do locally owned businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they are the customers of other local businesses, which in turn creates an expansion of opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

3.    Enrich our community.

A small business culture is the heartbeat of every thriving hometown. While franchises and national chain stores play a role in the national economy, small businesses provide an undeniable energy and unique sentiment that is the backbone of our community life.

4.    Experience a one-­‐of-­‐a-­‐kind connection.

Shopping with local business owners offers a sincere customer-­‐owner connection. Small business owners are experts on the product they create and sell; merchandise is carefully selected based on the customer's interests and needs, and owners will go the extra mile to guarantee personal attention to the customer.

5.    Create a healthier environment.

Independent businesses build robust communities by making more local purchases and supporting vibrant town centers, which essentially reduces traffic, habitat loss, and pollution.

I hope to see you around town at our local businesses too!