Tis the Season to shop local?

The first night of Hanukkah is 3 days away, Christmas is 16 days away, and Kwanzaa runs 12/26-1/1....have you started shopping yet?

I have, and as I have done every year, I try to keep my dollars local. I walk up and down Hawthorne Blvd looking for the great selection of gift ideas this neighborhood has to offer. I walk from Kids at Heart and Greg's to Powell's Books, across the street to Peet's coffee, Global Exchange and Jackpot records. I find some of the treasures I know my family and friends desire. I head west and survey the Pearl District and gather a few of the treasures it has to offer(Hannah Anderson and and a gift certificate to Isabel's to name a few)and I am pleased with my efforts.

If you didn't know "for every $100.00 spent in independently owned stores $68.00 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures...."(Visit 350project.net for more details). I typically value the experience in the local shops vs. the big box retailers. More importantly, I know someone down the street, a family at my daughter's school,or the barista at Stumptown lives will be enhanced by my shopping efforts. I hope to avoid sounding preachy but as a local retailer your shopping dollars allow me to provide jobs AND health insurance for 12 employees..not a small feat if I do say so myself.

There were a few items on my daughter's wish list that I couldn't find locally and had to order on the internet...the must have sock monkey hat and a specific peace sign t-shirt. I Googled these items and hoped I could find a good local resource but no luck and since Hanukkah was fast approaching I felt compelled to put aside my local shopping efforts and order online! So is there a contradiction to my prior statements? Yes, but at least I can say I tried my best. It is clear that the internet has provided the world a feeling of local because all that we need is at our fingertips, just not always down the street.

All that being said, Imelda's Shoes and Louie's Shoes for Men will be launching an e commerce site this spring! So for our old customers who have moved away or those working late across town, I have to ask "Is local where you live or a state of mind.......?"