Loyalty and commitment are traits which should be valued and appreciated, but far too often I’m afraid we get stars in our eyes at the thought of visiting the mega-sized big box retailers and we forget to stop down the street instead. But this holiday season.....THIS YEAR....we could pledge to do more. It's not just about "shopping for gifts" at independent retailers - actions such as purchasing gift cards for your employees to a neighborhood coffee shop, or holding the company Christmas party at a family-owned restaurant instead of a chain.
It's a certificate to have your car tuned up at the auto repair place down on Main Street, ordering from the best bakery in town for a cake that wows them at Christmas Eve dinner, or making sure to get that favorite sausage which can only be found at the deli on the corner. You see, much of this plan centers around your decisions!
Make the choice now, and start planning your gift shopping in advance. Maybe it’s organizing the annual neighborhood get-together to include food items and platters from your local stores and retailers, or getting friends together for a night out on the town. Whatever it is, you can decide to spend with the independents right in your community rather than the corporate chain stores.
The mom and pop establishments, diners, groceries and service companies cannot remain open on just hopes and dreams. Your support is essential for them to remain valuable contributors to the community - so don’t put it off.
