Owners encourage to shop "Local" this Holiday Season
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: November 25, 2011
While some shoppers hit the big chain stores over the holiday season,
small store owners are encouraging people to shop at local businesses to
help out the area economy.
It was two years ago when Donna Waterman opened up "Just Makes Scents."
And as a local business owner, she wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's nice to be able to walk into a local business and say, hey, I know that person by name or by first name," said Waterman.
Rod Wilson, the owner of gocal.co says during this time of year, shopping at locally own businesses is a great way to keep money circulating here at home.
"If we can just shift 10% of our holiday spending or year-round spending to locals, we can make a significant impact," said Wilson.
Donna Waterman says it's important to her and other local businesses that shoppers know just exactly where their money is going.
"They're actually putting their money right back into local sources. Most local businesses have owners that are living in the actual community," she said.
Elaine O'Connor prefers shopping locally for the experience.
"You get more one on one attention in a specialty store then you do at any of the other chain stores," said O'Connor.
"A local owner is going to go out of their way to please their customers because their reputation is based on how they treat customers,"
"I know them by name, I know who they are so they're going to come back to me instead of going to a big box or franchise where next, no. You don't say next. You say Don, how are you, welcome back," said The Candy Corner Owner, Richard Orilio.
It was two years ago when Donna Waterman opened up "Just Makes Scents."
And as a local business owner, she wouldn't have it any other way.
"It's nice to be able to walk into a local business and say, hey, I know that person by name or by first name," said Waterman.
Rod Wilson, the owner of gocal.co says during this time of year, shopping at locally own businesses is a great way to keep money circulating here at home.
"If we can just shift 10% of our holiday spending or year-round spending to locals, we can make a significant impact," said Wilson.
Donna Waterman says it's important to her and other local businesses that shoppers know just exactly where their money is going.
"They're actually putting their money right back into local sources. Most local businesses have owners that are living in the actual community," she said.
Elaine O'Connor prefers shopping locally for the experience.
"You get more one on one attention in a specialty store then you do at any of the other chain stores," said O'Connor.
"A local owner is going to go out of their way to please their customers because their reputation is based on how they treat customers,"
"I know them by name, I know who they are so they're going to come back to me instead of going to a big box or franchise where next, no. You don't say next. You say Don, how are you, welcome back," said The Candy Corner Owner, Richard Orilio.
