It’s spending season.
Food for the family, gifts for Christmas and even home repair projects you’ve been delaying until you had a few days off work with which to do them are all reasons why it’s going to feel like our wallet spends more time out of your pocket than in it.
If you’re going to be spending money anyway, why not spend it locally and help put presents under a local family’s Christmas tree rather than help make Jeff Bezos another million?
Small Business Saturday started as a 2010 initiative by American Express and the U.S. Small Business Administration to “celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities,” according to the administration’s website at sba.gov. Launched as a way for mom and pop to compete with big box Black Friday deals, it takes place annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
Cities, chambers and interested local businesses have gotten together year after year to put their own local businesses in the spotlight, and Brazoria County is not one to be left behind.
Shopping locally goes far beyond convenience or finding unique gifts; it directly impacts a community’s well-being.
“When you shop locally, the dollar you spend stays here,” Greater Angleton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michele Allison said. “It helps with projects, supports the tax base and ensures that local employees have stable jobs. It’s a ripple effect; you’re not only helping the business itself but also the employees, their families and the community as a whole.”
Supporting local businesses during the holidays is particularly important this year. Allison notes inflation and rising costs have created challenges for many small business owners.
“By choosing local over big chain stores, you’re giving back to your community and ensuring that your money supports the people and projects that make your town thrive,” Allison said.
The Greater Angleton Chamber of Commerce, like others in the county, has a dedicated list of the local businesses partnered with them. Customers can find anything for their holiday and daily needs offered by businesses on those lists.
For those hunting for the perfect holiday gift, Brazos Avenue Market boasts an impressive array of items both from big names and unique indie ones.
“We carry popular brands like Kendra Scott jewelry, Brighton accessories and Consuela handbags,” said Taryn Wollam, owner of Brazos Avenue Market. “We also have trending clothing items at affordable prices.”
In celebration of Shop Local Saturday, the store is offering a free gift with purchase and additional doorbuster deals, Wollam said.
“We know our customers,” she said. “Shopping locally supports the community and local families. We also donate to organizations, but we can only do that when we’re supported by our community.”
One thing you can’t get out of buying is food; you’ll literally die without it. As Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners approach, great deals are something many can appreciate, especially when feeding more people than usual. Stewart’s Food Store in Brazoria has the community covered with that one.
“It’s a family business,” said Stephanie Rae, frozen and dairy manager at Stewart’s Food Store in Brazoria. “We’re out to help the community and so this community should shop here to help the community as well.”
Whenever disaster strikes, be it a hurricane or something else altogether, Stewart’s is known to move quickly to help aid in recovery efforts. Even when there’s nothing wrong, its name is often listed as a sponsor on things benefiting the community.
Stewart’s has different sales every week, with rolling specials targeted at residents’ holiday needs.
The county has had a tough year when it comes to natural disasters. Many still have some damage left over from Hurricane Beryl, not because they don’t have the desire to fix up their homes but because work keeps getting in the way. Now that the holidays are allowing some people a few days off, it’s the perfect time to put that fence back up. Lake Hardware is ready to hand you the hammer.
“If you don’t know what you need, we’ll walk you through it and even load your materials for you,” manager Ricki Docking said. “Shopping here keeps the money circulating locally, which benefits the economy and supports local jobs.”
If Fido steals the wrong type of scraps from this year’s holiday meal, pets also can benefit from the Shop Local movement.
“We treat your animals like family,” said Lori Motl, owner of West Columbia Animal Hospital.
Shopping locally has far-reaching benefits beyond just finding a great gift or receiving excellent service.
“It’s not just about supporting the business owner,” Allison said. “It’s about supporting their employees, their families and the projects that improve our city. Every dollar spent locally helps build a stronger, more vibrant community.”
As you plan your holiday shopping, consider the unique value local businesses can bring to your table, home or Christmas tree. Whether it’s the personal touch of Brazos Avenue Market, the hands-on assistance at Lake Hardware, these businesses embody the heart of the community.
It’s time for Shop Local Saturday. Learn about some of the reasons why you should shop local.
This post was originally published on here
