Heather Latter
Despite the struggling economy this holiday season, along with the lure of “big city” shopping and the convenience of online buying, it seems many residents are making their Christmas purchases right here at home and supporting local businesses.
Although it’s difficult to gauge just how much local shopping has taken place so far this year, business owners are pleased with the traffic and sales in their stores.
And people only have to look down Scott Street to see the hustle and bustle of busy shoppers.
“We’ve been having lots of people in the store,” noted Richard Boileau of McTaggarts. “We’ve seen lots of new faces in this year, too.
“And lots of people are telling us that they want to support local jobs.
“Being that jobs are tough this year, everyone knows the more they shop at home, the more they help local jobs,” Boileau added.
“Seems like the weather has got people rolling—a little bit of snow does wonders,” enthused Ken Manty at Howarth’s Home Centre. “It’s been pretty steady. . . .
“In comparison to last year, I would say there’s probably more local shopping going on,” Manty added.
Boileau noted some of the hot items this season at McTaggarts are children’s animal hats and holiday dresses for youngsters. But jeans, hoodies, and purses also have been selling well.
Meanwhile, Manty said flat-panel televisions, along with Blu-ray and DVD players, are popular electronic gifts this year.
Over at Northwoods Gallery & Gifts, Connie Cuthbertson noted candles and handbags as some of the season’s hot sellers.
“I would say [the local shopping] has been about average for us, but average these days is way ahead of the curve, I guess,” she remarked.
“The people that are coming in the store are thrilled to see all the different items we have here . . . and we’re just doing our best to offer as much as possible.
“All we ask is you just give us a chance,” she added.
Cuthbertson said she’s had calls from Thunder Bay and Winnipeg to ship products because they can’t get them in the city.
“It’s kind of ironic that people think bigger is better, but that’s not necessarily the case,” she noted.
Paul Sunstrum of Canadian Tire here also feels people are shopping locally this season.
“Sales have been strong,” he remarked, noting the store recently offered a 20 times Canadian Tire money promotion.
“It was both to encourage sales and thank customers for supporting us.”
Sunstrum noted it’s always a busy time of year, and that they are doing the best they can to keep the shelves full and to provide a good value for shoppers.
“Fort Frances has everything you need,” stressed Chamber of Commerce manager Anthony Mason. “There really is no need for people to be going out of town to do their Christmas shopping.
“The prices aren’t that much different, and you spend money on gas and usually a hotel,” he reasoned.
He indicated the Chamber is promoting local shopping through “Shop Local” signs in store windows and a draw, in conjunction with B•93, for Chamber gift certificates.
“Every dollar spent at home is a dollar used at home,” Mason stressed.
“We want people to shop at home and support the local businesses so they are here in the future,” he added.
