The www.newsoptimist.ca poll this week reflects the impending arrival of the next big thing — Christmas.
Ready or not, here it comes, but first we have to get through the next big marketing event — Black Friday. Hold on to your hats, folks, it’s time to spend, spend, spend.
I’m not the world’s most reluctant shopper — that title goes to my sister — but I’m a close second. Nevertheless it must be done.
Sunday I ventured out to take in an open house and discount day hosted by three Battleford businesses. My entourage and I planned to visit all three, but after the first two we took a break and never made it to the third. The crowds, the lineups — we were just pooped out. Or at least my shopping-challenged sister and I were.
Yes, I’m talking about little old Battleford. These small businesses were inundated with the shopping hoards and while I admit to running screaming to the sanctuary of a friend’s house in the midst of it all, it was heartwarming to see such enthusiastic support for local businesses.
I recently made a rather poor decision to venture to Saskatoon on a Saturday. I wasn’t there to “shop” but had a couple of necessary errands to do that took me to two different shopping malls. One was a strip mall and the other was a regular behemoth of a shopping venue. The parking lots were jammed. The getting and spending hoards were out in full force. It was exhausting and unfulfilling.
The only highlight was being creatively panhandled by a young woman in the parking lot. Her impassioned plea for change to get a cab so she could pick up her child at school (did I mention it was a Saturday) was so wonderfully delivered I was inspired to contribute a toonie to the cause. The first time that is. The second time she approached with the exact same opening gambit, I pointed out I had already ponied up,
Where am I going with this, you ask. Elsewhere in this paper is a Battlefords Chamber of Commerce ad urging you to shop locally. Take their advice.
While shopping madness in Battleford may have gotten the best of me, I know there are many seasoned and more resolute shoppers out there who will brave the madness, but why add to the challenge by taking your money elsewhere. Local businesses have their stores full to bursting with every type of merchandise imaginable. They employ the people in your community and they support the organizations that make the community a community. They are the ones paying taxes to support local infrastructure.
Do yourself and your community a favour, shop locally.
