Let’s focus on the significant positive impacts of shopping at local businesses during the holiday season.
- Economic Impact: A significant portion of money spent at independent retailers stays within the local community, supporting job creation and overall economic health.
- Unique Gifts: Local shops and markets offer one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, and locally-inspired products not available in big-box stores, allowing for more personal and thoughtful gifts.
- Personalized Service: Local business owners often provide expert advice and a personalized shopping experience, building community connections and making shopping more enjoyable.
- Environmental Benefits: Shopping locally often means less transportation and packaging, which reduces the carbon footprint compared to long-distance shipping from online giants.
- Community Support: You help support the dreams of local entrepreneurs and contribute to the unique charm and character of your town.
Skip the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the temptation of big online retailers, and try the powerful alternative of shopping local.
- There are initiatives like Small Business Saturday, which is a dedicated time to support local businesses.
- Great types of local businesses to explore, such as:
- Niche and boutique shops
- Art galleries and craft fairs
- Independent bookstores
- Local farms or farm stores for fresh ingredients for holiday meals
You can visit local markets and events in the area as Southern Oregon offers diverse holiday shopping opportunities, from historic downtowns like Ashland and Jacksonville with local boutiques to specialized shops such as Harry & David in Medford and Rogue Creamery in Central Point. Additionally, many smaller towns have unique shops like Butte Creek Mill Antique Store in Eagle Point and Taylor’s Country Store in Cave Junction.
-
- Ashland: This town’s Main Street is known for its festive atmosphere, holiday lights, and numerous local shops.
- Jacksonville: Experience the historic charm of California Street, which features endearing local shops and festive decorations.
- Medford: Visit the Harry & David Country Village for gifts, or find artisan goods at the Rogue Gallery & Art Center and Art du Jour Gallery.
- Grants Pass: Find unique gifts at BikeKraft.
- Klamath Falls: Explore vintage and antique shops like Everybody’s Vintage and Simpler Times Antiques.
- Central Point: The Rogue Creamery offers a great spot for unique local food gifts.
- Eagle Point: The Butte Creek Mill Antique Store is a destination for vintage finds.
- Cave Junction: Taylor’s Country Store provides another local shopping option.
- Explore historic main streets: Consider visiting the downtown areas of towns like Ashland and Jacksonville for a charming and festive shopping experience.
- Check for local events: While not explicitly mentioned, towns often host holiday markets, craft fairs, and special events that are great for finding handcrafted and local goods.
- Look for specialized shops: Southern Oregon has many niche shops, like those specializing in food, art, antiques, or local crafts, depending on your interests.
Also, Facebook Marketplace has local handmade goods, or unique items that would be awesome to give and to help support members of the community.
In addition to helping build the local economy, there are also notable intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in your local community.
- Local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors! They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future.
- Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits.
- Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.
It isn’t always the easiest or most convenient option to visit a local independent business rather than a large national chain that might be down the street. However, there are plenty of ways you can help support your local economy by thinking local first:
- Try the menu at a local restaurant for lunch or dinner
- Purchase a birthday present at a local gift shop
- Join a local gym
- Visit a local nursery or hardware store for your lawn and garden needs
- Get your car serviced at a local mechanic
- Visit a farmer’s market to purchase the ingredients for your family dinner.
Top 10 Reasons to Shop Local First
- To shape and preserve our distinctive community character
- Local competition and diversity leads to more product choices
- It keeps and recirculates money in our community
- You’ll help support local job and opportunity creation
- It reduces environmental impact locally
- Because local businesses reinvest in our community
- It strengthens the local economy
- Because the local businesses help fund local non-profits
- To ensure that tax dollars stay local
- It encourages community pride and ownership
So the next time you need to run out for some groceries or do a little shopping, seek out a local business and see what they have to offer! You could discover some great products and services while helping to build a strong and successful community around you.
When you invest money in your local economy, you’re not just helping local business owners — you’re also helping yourself. You’re making your town a better place to live in, with a rich character, thriving economy, and tightly knit community. And the more local businesses prosper, the more new ones will open, making it even easier to continue shopping locally in the future.
Embrace the magic of shopping local and make the holiday season truly special!