Local merchants offer service, variety, value
Christmas is right around the corner and those finishing up last minute shopping needn’t look any further than their own community to find great gifts for everyone this year.
According to Orange County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Bannar, shopping local has numerous benefits to the local economy and community.
“When you shop local, you’re contributing to the local tax base,” she said. “One percent of your sales tax goes back to the local tax base. Also, local businesses provide jobs and services to the community.
Those people employed locally then spend what they earn back in the community and those dollars then continue to provide more opportunities in the community.”
Also, there’s something personal about shopping within your own community rather than scouring the aisles at the local big box retailer.
“It’s so nice when you walk into a store or restaurant locally and you know each other,” Orange Downtown Alliance Director Jeff Curtis said. “That’s something you don’t get outside. It’s important, especially with all the stresses and demands we have. It’s friendship building.”
Local shop owners agreed that personalized service is a big benefit to shopping in the community. Tess Topf, owner of Tess Jewelry Company located on Main Street in Gordonsville said she knows many of the customers that come into the store.
“We definitely offer personalized service,” she said. “I know most of my customers. Originally we thought we’d get a lot of transient customers, people who are tourists, but that’s not true. Many of our customers are local, which is great. I’m very fortunate for that.”
Jeanne Bragg, manager of Ribbons Hallmark in Orange said personalized service at the store comes with the knowledge of products offered.
