While most merchants would like to forget last year’s holiday season, few can.
It was that awful.
“It was a one-two punch last year with the economy swirling around the toilet bowl and then Mother Nature took us to the ground,” recalled Linda Johannes, manager of the Everett Mall. “Between the economy and the snow, everyone was trying to get their breath back.”
With the economy still struggling, this holiday season is very important for local business owners, Johannes said.
That’s why the mall, Everett’s downtown merchants, Everett Transit, the city and the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to promote a Shop Everett program this year.
Louise Stanton-Masten, the chamber president, said the merchants aren’t the only people to win when we shop at local stores.
“When you shop close to home, you save gas and we support each other,” she said. “You’re keeping your tax dollars in your community to support local services.”
As part of the Shop Everett program, the chamber is urging local businesses to help promote it with signs and logos and by developing sales that make it worth shoppers’ whiles to buy locally produced items.
The chamber has also started a Facebook page for supporters where businesses can promote special deals.
“We’re telling people to check their budgets, shop smart, but shop here,” Johannes said. “If they keep their dollars here, it helps the unemployment rate and it helps business survival.”
Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson urged people to shop locally not only for holiday gifts, but also for things like restaurants, movies and auto repair. “When you purchase products online or out of town, it has little or no (local) impact,” he said.
The Greater Marysville-Tulalip Chamber of Commerce has also launched a “buy locally” campaign to help businesses promote themselves.
President Caldie Rogers said local purchases help everyone in the community, from police and fire departments to Little League teams and local parks.
“The benefits of keeping our money in our own communities can create a domino effect that can preserve a neighborhood and our quality of life, even in an economic slowdown,” Rogers said.
Most years, local merchants promote a buy local campaign, but things seem more urgent this year.
“It’s critical,” Johannes said.
Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459; benbow@heraldnet.com
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