And now it’s here: the biggest shopping day of the year when stores everywhere officially kick off the Christmas shopping season by offering great deals, smiles and decorations. (Note that we use the word “Christmas” because are not afraid to use it.)
Here on the local scene, whether in “mom and pop” operations or huge big box chains, the people are our friends, our neighbors, sometimes our family. So it’s extra important to spend your shopping dollars right here at home in Sumter and Schley counties instead of driving to Albany, Columbus of Macon.
The more local businesses we can keep open during these tough economic times, the better. As long as a business can keep its door open to commerce, the owner can still keep employees on the payroll and pay local and state taxes and help to prop up the local and state economies.
It is sad when any business has to close, but even worse when it is “one of our own.”
As we prepare for our Christmas shopping, let’s all remember that it is better to help our local economy than another area’s.
Shop at home; it just feels right.
