Shop local

We are officially in the countdown to Christmas now that Thanksgiving is over. While we’re making our Christmas gift lists this year, let’s remember to put local businesses at the top of the list. If anyone deserves support this year, it’s our local business community.

Too many people think business owners are all wealthy. They are not, and they deal with issues ranging from rising costs, to big rents or mortgages, to the challenge of finding labor. This year, 2020, they have had to navigate the incredibly difficult challenge of dealing with COVID-19 and its effects on both people and the business climate.

One local business leader recently remarked that business owners have had to play enforcer on local mask orders. In addition to have to deal with a challenging business climate, they had to deal with customers who sometimes lashed out when asked to wear a mask by a store owner seeking to 1) protect their employees, other customers, and loved ones, and 2) avoid potential lawsuits if someone were to trace an infection to their possibly lax enforcement.

As if business owners didn’t have enough to worry about already.

That, in addition to all else 2020 has wrought, is why we should support our local businesses.

Make your Christmas gift with local, independently owned stores in mind. There are plenty of unique gift ideas for every budget. Or maybe a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant is in order. The owners of local eateries would certainly appreciate that, as they have struggled, too.

Or, for the person who has everything, there are still plenty of donations which can be made in honor of, or in memory of, loved ones and friends. The Multi Service Center, the Rockdale Christmas Round Up, The Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Child Protective Services, The Place of Hope and the Milam County Brown Santa program are all organizations that help our community. The Buddy Oney Toy Run provides needed Christmas toys to those who were already struggling financially before this pandemic hit.

We’ve written it many times — support local businesses. The owner of Amazon.com doesn’t need any more money, and that money never comes back to local organizations, such as support for Little League teams, or all the schools in our district. But local businesses have given plenty to support those organizations and many others.

So make those lists, but remember to fill stockings with treasures from local businesses. Shop local and give our small businesses a helping hand during this rough year.—K.E.C.