{ Save Yourselves! Shop Local! }

So, last week on our little island in the Pacific Northwest our largest private employer, with no notice, laid off 200+ workers and closed its doors. The community was breathless, the company owners feel terrible, and for a community this size, this is a major economic event that will have long lasting effects. So as you might imagine, the community is abuzz with "support our merchants". And I couldn't agree more. I will forgo the ferry trips to the mainland this year and try to spend as many holiday dollars in the little shops around town instead of the large box stores. But we are also part of a larger community, here and other locales online. We have created bonds with other shopkeepers and e-tailers and those merchants need our support as well. As the holiday flurry begins for us as shoppers, try to strike the balance between supporting your local brick and mortars and supporting your online communities. Be thoughtful in your purchases and know that with a little effort, every penny spent will impact your ALL of your communities.