Residents urged to shop local this holiday season

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LAFAYETTE — This holiday season, LaFayette Main Street Executive Director DeAnna Hand said she wants locals to remember LaFayette’s small businesses when holiday shopping — shopping small and supporting local entrepreneurs creates a healthier local economy and provides income for people in the LaFayette community and their families.

Hand said shopping local versus ordering online for holiday gifts makes a large impact on the vitality of small businesses, and she said local business owners are intentional with providing products and customer service — so locals should try to be intentional about shopping small and supporting LaFayette businesses this holiday season by purchasing a couple of gifts locally, which will help the business long after December.

“Research shows that the ‘J’ months are very hard for small businesses and retailers — June, July and January are really tough for small businesses,” she said. “But over the past few years, all small businesses have struggled more than ever, and shopping small is something that is important, especially during the holiday season. Use this time of shopping and gift buying to focus on [local] small businesses, because it gets [business owners] through some of those months that are really, really, really slow. It makes an impact on them — being able to thrive in a small town and to be able to sustain their business. So really, during the holiday month, a lot of that revenue gets small businesses through the hard and very, very slow months.”

With large corporations seemingly reaching record sales each year, Hand said small businesses are carefully working to engage with customers and the community to curate a personal experience for shoppers. For many who may get frustrated while shopping during the holiday season with busy lines at big box stores, tired cashiers, frantic customers or late deliveries, Hand said shopping small offers a personal and peaceful shopping experience — where the funds made by the business go into the same schools, churches and neighborhoods where residents live.

“When you shop locally, you will meet the owner of that business who has built it from the ground up, and has lost sleep at night worrying about stock, inventory or payroll, and you see them firsthand,” she said. “When you go in and you’re buying their products, purchasing their supplies or even getting services from some of our service industries, you’re going to talk and they’re going to genuinely and intentionally care about you as an individual, not just a shopper.”

Hand said she wants to challenge LaFayette and Chambers County residents to try to purchase three gifts from local businesses in LaFayette — returning the intentionality of the business owners through thoughtful shopping and support of local businesses.

“I would love for all of the residents and even visitors to choose LaFayette to shop local this holiday season,” she said. “[Even if you shop small] for even three Christmas gifts. There’s not everything for everyone, but [finding] something personal while shopping small, that goes a long way when you’re talking about being intentional with your gifts. There’s just so much that people can get that are just really personable and intentional gifts that also help your community members who own businesses.”

For those looking to purchase local Christmas gifts but are not sure where to start, Hand said there are many spots around town that offer gifts options for friends and family this holiday season — she said some options include:

• Newman’s Farm Supply which sells pepper jelly, chocolate-covered pecans and also has stocking stuffer options like pocket knives.

• The Market at Magnolia which has a variety of booths which offer many options for stocking stuffers, vintage treasures, women’s boutique items and baby and children’s items, clothes. There is also a booth with sports memorabilia from Chambers Academy, LaFayette High, Auburn and Alabama and more.

• Blue Button has a retail shop with a variety of gifts and stocking stuffer options, many with “LaFayette” printed on the item. Customers can also personalize items through custom embroidery.

• For teens or busy friends or family, a gift card to LaFayette Nutrition can fuel their long days or studies.

• The Sparrow Home Decor offers decor options, with curated pieces for a variety of styles and aesthetics.

• Give the gift of a self-care day with a gift card to Ready, Set, Glow Tanning.

• A subscription to The LaFayette Sun is always an option for Christmas gifts.

• Offering caffeine and crafted pizza, a gift card to Zēk’s can buy a friend or teen a lunch, dinner or a specialty coffee.

While the above options do not cover every business that offers gift options, Hand said she wants to encourage people to explore LaFayette and see what all it has to offer — shoppers might find the perfect gift for a loved one. Hand has a series on the LaFayette Main Street Facebook account where she shares Thursday tips to encourage locals and business owners to interact and encourages community members to support LaFayette entrepreneurs.

Follow LaFayette Main Street on Facebook to find more helpful information to participate in community commerce.