Small businesses good at doing the little things
I hope you got your bellies full and emptied your wallets over the last several days. I think my little Hartley ate more turkey, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes than everyone at the dinner tables.
And she certainly did a good job of emptying my wallet over the long weekend.
So, we’re in the midst of the full holiday season now, and I have to tell you a story of a conversation I was having with someone about a week and a half ago. Knowing that he enjoys getting the good “big box” deals on Black Friday, I asked him if he would be participating in the frenzy again this year. “Of course, Lori.”
When I told him that he must also remember to buy local this holiday season, he quickly stated, “But I can’t get a 50-inch flat screen for $200 (or whatever the price is) at a local store.”
And he makes an excellent point. There are things that I will buy for Christmas and throughout the year that are just more affordable for me at a big box. My hard-earned money means a lot to me.
However, I made sure I explained that, while you might not be able to get ALL of your items at small, local businesses, make sure to include them in your holiday shopping and eating. Look for your specialty or unique items at a local store.
A lot of times, they will actually wrap the gift for you or put it in a nice gift bag with tissue paper as one local shop did for me a couple of weeks ago.
She even helped me pick out items within the price range that I wanted to spend.
It’s the little things that make shopping locally such an enjoyable experience.
I hope you were able to enjoy some of the Small Business Saturday offers that some of our local businesses were offering over the weekend. And they will continue to offer specials throughout the holiday season.
We also have our annual Buy Local Holiday Giveaway going on right now, too. Just mail your dated receipt or a copy along with your name and phone number to Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, 1040 Eberly Way, Suite 200, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456.
You can win one of three great prizes, including $500 in gift cards to Buy Local businesses and $250 in gift cards to Buy Local businesses.
Spa and salon gift certificates, jewelry, theater tickets, restaurant gift cards, wine and wine baskets, chocolate, stationary, candles and more can all be found at more than reasonable prices at Buy Local businesses.
These make great gifts, and you can send your receipt in to be entered into the contest. Put your Buy Local Card number on your receipt, and you’ll get a double entry into the contest.
And, for those of you with children, there are Buy Local businesses that have some great items including clothes, blankets and accessories.
Let me know about any great local deals you get while you’re holiday shopping. Email me at loris@faypenn.org. And, don’t forget you have to eat.
Our local restaurants have some of the best food you’ll ever eat, and their prices are no more than a chain restaurant. Trust me. I don’t cook.