A million reasons to shop at home this year

You don't have to tell local merchants that money is tight this year. But allow me to give you at least a million reasons to consider checking out local businesses this Christmas season.

Even though the holiday shopping season doesn't officially begin until the day after Thanksgiving, local shopkeepers are already feeling the impact of the Internet, cheap gas (?!?) and the fascination people have with driving somewhere else to shop.

It wasn't too long ago people would automatically go to Merwin's or Sandpoint Super Drug if they needed a electrical cord for the Christmas lights or advice on which snowblower would work best for them this winter.

Somewhere along the way, consumers replaced convenience, local knowledge, civic pride and supporting those who support you, with the fact they could save a few bucks out of town or on the Internet.

On Saturday night, Holly Eve kicked off the official holiday season here.

Without Eve's Leaves, there would be no Holly Eve. Or for that matter, if Marilyn Sabella and her band of elves decided 28 years ago to just sell clothes this time of year, the Panida, Head Start, the Festival at Sandpoint and numerous other local endeavors would either not exist today or would be severely scaled back.

Holly Eve has contributed more than $1 million to these groups. So there are your million reasons to shop locally this year - and that is just one store.

Each local business has something unique to offer. One thing they all have in common, though, is that they are constantly asked to help support local causes.

There has not been one week that I have worked at the Bee that I haven't been asked to help some deserving  person or group. Most businesses give back to the community.

If I have a question about photography, I think of the ImageMaker. Need a tuxedo? Larson's. The coolest downtown Sandpoint store? Northwest Handmade. Running shoes? Athlete's Choice.

I can't remember the last time any Internet site or out of town business donated to Little League, Strikers, Boy Scouts, 8th grade trip to New York, 4H, yearbooks, Cedar Post, etc.

As the economy slows, it is more important than ever to support those who make life special here. If you haven't walked through the stores in Ponderay and Sandpoint for awhile, this is the year to do it.

Even if you don't buy something, you will have a good idea who your son or daughter is asking for a job…or a donation.

Keep reading the local newspaper to look for these local businesses.

It pays in more ways than you can imagine when you choose to keep your money at home and support the businesses that support our communities.

Shop at home.

• David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.