FREE ! TAKE ONE HOME! A Publication of
Vol. 37 | No. 9 November 14, 2024 1411 West Dakota Parkway Suite 2a | Williston, North Dakota 701-572-4851 | info@vocella.com
Servin' up savings since 1988
Why Shopping Local This Holiday Season Makes a Difference W ith holiday lists being checked twice (or thrice), you may find yourself deciding where to shop, and we’re here to make the case for staying local. Why? Because shopping local doesn’t just check items off your gift list—it brings good cheer to the entire community. If that sounds a little corny, bear with us. There are some pretty compelling reasons why shopping close to home is worth every penny, and, well, they go way beyond scoring prime parking spots and dodging the big-box crowds. More Bang for Your Buck—Right Here at Home When you spend at local businesses, more of that money stays within our community. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a local business, about $73 stays in the community, compared to roughly $43 at non-local stores. This money goes to everything from local jobs to community parks, school programs and road repairs. Think of it as giving a gift to your neighbors while getting your holiday list done—it’s basically multi-tasking, holiday-style. Shop Small, Stress Small Forget those endless lines and the labyrinthian parking lots. Shopping locally is typically a lower-stress experience. Smaller crowds, shorter lines and maybe even a friendly face or two. Plus, local shop owners genuinely care about
DOWNTOWN WILLISTON, CIRCA 1970-1979 | WILLIAM E. SHEMORRY PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION | DIGITAL HORIZONS ONLINE their customers and their experience—meaning there’s a pretty good chance they’ll greet you by name, offer a few great gift suggestions and chat about their favorite holiday recipes. Good luck getting that at Big Box Mart. The Gift of Unique Finds One of the biggest perks of shopping locally is the oneof-a-kind items you can score. Locally owned stores tend to stock up on goods that reflect the community, and many carry locally made, handcrafted or otherwise unique items that you just won’t find anywhere else. It’s like gifting a little piece of Williston’s charm in every package—and let’s face
it, there’s something special about giving Aunt Betty a hand-poured candle from that shop down the street rather than another mass-produced mug. Personalized Service: It’s Not Just for Hotels Local business owners are invested in their shops and invested in their community, so they’re often willing to go above and beyond to make sure you find what you need. Whether they’re ordering a special item just for you or wrapping a gift with extra care, you’re getting service with a personal touch. Big retailers can’t match that experience, and honestly, isn’t it nice
to shop where people actually care about your satisfaction? The Ripple Effect of Local Shopping Shopping at one local business doesn’t just support that single store; it creates a ripple effect across our entire community. Many local businesses source supplies from other local suppliers, which means your dollar goes even further. For instance, that beautiful holiday wreath you pick up at a local store might be crafted from greenery grown on a nearby farm, supporting multiple local businesses with a single purchase. It’s community teamwork, tied up with a ribbon.
Supporting the Community Beyond the Sale Local businesses are also major supporters of our community’s non-profits, schools and sports teams. According to studies, small businesses give 250% more to local non-profits than larger businesses do. That means every dollar you spend locally doesn’t just go toward goods or services—it’s part of a larger cycle that supports our town’s growth and vitality. It’s Not Just Shopping— It’s Building Community At the end of the day, shopping locally isn’t just about finding great gifts; it’s about strengthening the community. Every dollar spent here, every gift wrapped and ribboned, helps keep our town a little more vibrant, unique and thriving. So, this holiday season, as you’re checking off that list, remember: shopping local doesn’t just make you a gift-giving rockstar—it also helps make our community a place we’re all proud to call home. So grab your list and give your neighbors’ shops a try. You might be surprised by the treasures you find and the friendly faces you’ll meet along the way. Plus, you’ll leave knowing you’ve given a little extra back to the place we all love to call home. Happy (local) shopping!
Not Every Battle Needs to Be Fought in the Comments Section Put down the keyboard and pick up some real-world positivity. Instead of debating in the comments, try volunteering, planting a tree, or joining a community clean-up. Channel that energy into something that actually changes the world. Bonus: Nobody’s going to call you a troll for it.
The ShOpper