Karole Passmore, co-founder GoWayneCounty.com
Every year for the past eight years, our family at GoWayneCounty.com has encouraged, in different ways, the idea of buying local for the holidays. This year we are doing it with an exciting contest!
All across Wayne County, unique shops offer tremendous choices for the special gifts we love to give those we most cherish.
Sure, all of us like the ease of going online and shopping– and having it delivered to our door without much effort on our parts.
But what is the impact on our local economy and the environment if we shop predominantly that way during the holidays? It’s actually a far reaching negative hit to both, and frankly there is no reason not to shop for at least 80% of your family and friends gifts at local merchant stores.
So far this year I have gotten handmade stuffed animals for two of the little ones on my list at a craft fair (they are also carried at Veach’s Toy Store), handmade fingerless gloves, soaps, and teas (note: I am one of our best customers at The Tin Cup: Tea & Gift shop where I work- full disclosure and true).
I plan to do my annual holiday shopping at the Two Sisters Book Store for the book lovers in our family, antique shopping in Cambridge City for my son who loves old oil lamps, amazing boutiques in Downtown Richmond, and so many more places are on my list!
Each year I challenge myself to do 85% of my shopping locally. I do it because I want to support local business owners, I want to help our local economy and I want to help support the environment by buying things that don’t require as much packaging materials, fuel to deliver them, and that are generally better for the environment in the way they are made without toxic chemicals.
And…I know that my family enjoys knowing that we took the time to find something special for them each year.
This is why I shop local and I’m sure many of you have reasons you do it as well. We’d love to hear those reasons and ask that you share them in the comments section at the bottom of this post.
And now for another reason to shop local this year! All you have to do is go to the contest page on Facebook and post a picture of yourself at the checkout at a locally owned and operated shop or restaurant in Wayne County! You can enter up to three times (3 different local businesses), and we suggest you submit your most creative work because we may also offer a prize for the most creative picture!
Once you enter, your name will be put into the drawing for the huge basket. Contest begins on November 15 and ends on December 18th and the winner will be announced on December 19th.
Happy Holidays! And happy local shopping!
Karole, Jack & Constance
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