Shopping local this holiday can be the difference in your favorite family owned shops staying in business.
White County is getting their residents to stay local through its “I’m Dreaming of a White County Christmas.” Sparta White County Chamber of Commerce President Marvin Bullock said shopping events like this help boost the local economy.
“For a lot of merchants, not just small businesses, the Christmas holidays are the ones that take their year from the red into the black,” Bullock said. “So, everybody remember these small merchants that work so hard for your business.”
Fifteen local merchants are participating in the shopping event until December 18th. Each day, you can visit the shops and enter to win a Jackson Kayak. Bullock said people can find locally crafted goods that would keep sales tax revenues in the community.
“It is keeping sales tax in the local area,” Bullock said. “Rather than going to the big cities to do your Christmas shopping. When they do, they go to stores where must of the big stores carry the same brand of items. You go to some of these small shops, and you get a unique Christmas gift.”
Bullock said the event goes further than sales tax. Shopping local also creates a sense of community.
“Another part of it is these people are your neighbors. These people quite possibly live in the same neighborhoods you live in,” Bullock said. “They are the ones that support your schools and a lot of other local involvement.”
Merchants are only allowed to issue one form per-person, per-day. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The drawing will be held December 18th at the Sparta Expositor at 2:00 p.m. You do not have to be present to win.
You can find a list of participating businesses on shopspartafirst.com.
