With the holiday season officially upon us, a few have already started their shopping, while others are destined to wait until the last possible moment.
No matter your shopping style, you have plenty of options for your holiday shopping. But before you flip open your laptop to shop online or head to a big box store, think twice. Keep reading to learn 5 big reasons why you should shop local this holiday season.
1. You’re Helping Create Jobs
When you choose to shop locally, you’re directly helping the people who call that area home by creating a demand for their jobs. It isn’t just the storekeepers or business owners you’re supporting either. Don’t forget about the local tax experts who help businesses prepare their taxes, the landscapers who keep their buildings looking great, the cleaning staff who tidy up each evening, and everyone else who works on or around the businesses that you’re supporting.
You don’t need to shop in your hometown to be “shopping local.” For instance, if you love visiting Zion National Park, you can shop locally in Springdale to support those who work in and around the park. Springdale has a year-round population of just over 600 people. Without the support and spending of millions of tourists who come through the area each year, the stores, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments would quickly close.
2. Your Money Goes Back to the Community
Shopping local is a great way to keep your money in the community. When you shop at a small business, you can rest assured that the business owners are spending plenty of money at other businesses located nearby. In fact, studies show that on average, 67 cents of every dollar you spend will stay right there in the community.
Even when you shop local at businesses that aren’t individually owned, at least a portion of what you spend goes directly back to the community. Odds are that the business buys plenty of local services. From office supplies to landscaping to cleaning, they’re spending the money they make from customers like you in the community you love so much.
3. You’ll Find Unique Gifts
Most of us have received at least one underwhelming holiday gift in the past. Whether it’s yet another Christmas scented candle or bath set, a fuzzy blanket, or a gift card for a restaurant you never go to, you know how disappointing these gifts can be. It isn’t that you won’t eventually use these items. But you’ll get far more enjoyment out of a unique gift that you know was carefully selected just for you. Make sure that the people you’re buying for have a chance to enjoy that feeling.
Shopping local will help you break free of the department store staples. Not only can you find locally crafted goods, but you’ll find plenty of other unique finds, like t-shirts, hats, bags, and more.
4. Quality Products
In small-town locally-owned stores, reputation is everything. Unlike department stores that have 10 more shoppers to replace each disgruntled one, local stores rely heavily on the good opinion of its customers. If they’re happy, they’ll come back to shop again. Or they’ll review the store online with a glowing report and let their friends and family know how much they like the store, encouraging them to visit as well.
For that reason, the quality of products in most local stores is a top priority. Even if you’re buying hiking and camping gear rather than handmade artwork, you can rest assured that the products were carefully sourced and chosen. The store owners believe that you will be happy with your purchase and recommend it to others as well.
5. You’ll Have More Fun
If you’ve ever fought the crowds of an oversized, but understaffed department store during the holidays, or felt the overwhelming claustrophobia of malls this time of year, you know that Christmas shopping isn’t always a fun experience. With everyone heading to the same locations and every store stocking the same kinds of items, finding an alternative means breaking free of the stores you usually shop at.
Shopping local can still mean crowded stores and lines at checkouts. But it’s also a chance to browse unique products in new environments. From fun displays to friendly salespeople, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed, fun holiday experience.
Where to Shop Local in Springdale
Springdale might be small, but it offers a variety of shopping options. From locally crafted goods to artwork to hiking gear, you’ll find it all at the gateway to Zion.
The Springdale Visitor Center is a one-stop-shop for your holiday shopping. You’ll find hiking boots for your spouse, down jackets for your parents, t-shirts for your friends, and unique souvenirs for your coworkers. There’s truly something for every taste. Plus, when you shop the store’s Black Friday Sale, you’ll save 40 percent on everything in the store. Stop by from Thanksgiving Day until December 1 to take advantage of the sale!
