Take the time to shop local through gifts, services

  • Published: 12/15/2009 12:59:30 PM
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror and the Christmas shopping season in full roar, one of the phrases you’ll hear often in the next three weeks is “shop local.”

That was the war cry last year as the economy tumbled and America staggered under business failure and more than a spoonful of uncertainty. As Christmas dawns in 2009, fears that gripped Wilsonville and the rest of Oregon so tightly in 2008 may have relaxed a bit, but they are certainly still in play.

The concept of shopping local has always been valid, but as businesses struggled in Wilsonville last year, its meaning took on a much more survival-laden tone. The symbiosis between consumer and Wilsonville’s business health has never been greater — or more urgently needed. The financial meltdown we are currently trying to untangle ourselves from has brought that point home sharply.

“Shop local” isn’t just a catchy slogan designed to benefit only one side of the equation. It is a heartfelt request that as you shop this season, look for the items you need locally first and foremost.

The livability of a community is directly tied to many factors, not the least of which is its business community.

Shopping local in these tough times keeps not only the business community viable, but the community as a whole more livable.

As always, you’ll do what you need or want to do. That’s your right and we respect that. We simply ask that in putting together your shopping list, you keep in mind the local potential that exists in Wilsonville and what it might have to offer.

And when looking at what Wilsonville has to offer, remember to think outside the confines of products and also take a look at services.

Too often, simply giving a box of something is the path we take at this time of year. If you don’t know what to get a friend, family or neighbor, take a look at providing them something that helps their quality of life.

In Wilsonville, services vie for those Christmas dollars as well. Everything from massages to music lessons, cleaning to catering, laundry to locksmith, pet sitting to portraits, beauty salons to bicycle repair, fitness to family entertainment. And much more.

In this season of giving, perhaps Wilsonville offers more than you thought it did. Perhaps it offers the chance to get a neighbor’s deadbolt lock installed or a yard tidied up a bit or even a car detailed.

Yes, “buy local” provides us with the impetus to help the Wilsonville business community and keep local dollars here. It also should inspire us to look at avenues for gifts that we may never think of. It’s just a suggestion. We hope you’ll take it.

Share   |   Email


Comments

We welcome comments from registered users. Comments are solely the responsibility of those who post them; their viewpoints are not endorsed by the Wilsonville Spokesman and WilsonvilleSpokesman.com. (read more)
Highlight
ship name
no comments have been added

(last 7 days)