Do you plan on shopping locally-owned stores for the holidays?

[jane_pippin]

All the posts/news stories today about shopping like mad, hitting the mall early, etc. got me wondering how many people are planning on shopping locally-owned businesses for gifts this year.

I know it's not possible to get everything you want to get at a locally-owned shop, but I do think it's important to support businesses in your community when you can. And, I find that you can find some interesting things at smaller shops that you might not see at a place in the mall or Target or whatever--like interesting jewlery or toys or something.

So, how many of you plan on doing some or all of your shopping at locally-owned, independent shops?

(Also, if you are interested in shopping locally but aren't sure where to start, do a google search to see if your community has a shop-local business alliance. They might have a website that lists their members so you can see who's out there and what they do.)


There's my holiday question/PSA for the season. Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and can enjoy a nice long weekend. :hi:

[Doremus]

As the owner of a local shop, I thank you!

I always do as much of my shopping from my fellow mom-n-pop shops as I can. They're mostly niche-type specialty places but that's what makes them cool.

Thanks again! :toast:

[KittyWampus]

3. Oh my, Wednesday I found out TWO local shops who've always done Christmas are packing it in.

Local pool stores who stayed open and did Christmas can't compete with Amazon and big box.

I am bummed.

[jane_pippin]

6. Sure thing!

Plus those little places know their product so you tend to get better customer service from people who know what they're talking about.

:toast: back atcha.

[KittyWampus]

7. they also keep an eye on the neighborhood kids and contribute to Little League etc.

[jane_pippin]

10. Exactly. They have a stake in your community as much as you do.

Plus it's fun to get out into your city or town and maybe check out neighborhoods you haven't been to in a while.

[hlthe2b]

1. I will from some local gift shops... but there aren't that many around

The mega stores have so taken over with their cookie cutter merchandise from China... We have so enabled the monopolies in retail, not much choice left.

[jane_pippin]

8. It's sad, isn't it? I'm lucky to live somewhere that does have more options

than a lot of places, (if I want to buy a book I have several local shops to go to, or a few local candy shops for good chocolate, etc.) but it's still tough. I don't want to see those businesses fail, which is why I'm sort of a Shop-Local Nerd.

I can't fault people for wanting a deal--local shops can't always compete on price so it might cost a few dollars more depending on the product, but for me, I'm not buying a lot this year anyway so I don't mind too much if I spend a little bit more on something from them. I'm sure I'll wind up getting something from Target or Kohls or whatever too, but the vast majority of what I get won't be from them.

[Ian David]

2. What is this thing you call "shopping?" n/t

[madrchsod]

4. charity shops,local stores,web,and craft my own

i stay the hell out of big box stores

[yardwork]

5. Yes, I always do and this year more than ever.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. We did, we bought art for family in a trip to Alaska

and ONLY shppped in stores that said on window LOCALLY ownned and operated

Yep, cruise lines have their stores... we avoided them like the plague

Oh and they have been shipped already

[iamahaingttta]

11. Shopping? Feh...

Fuck shopping.
I'm not buying anything for anybody ever again.

The whole thing is a scam, and we're the suckers...