Let’s focus on the significant positive impacts of shopping at local businesses during the holiday season.
- Economic Impact: A significant portion of money spent at independent retailers stays within the local community, supporting job creation and overall economic health.
- Unique Gifts: Local shops and markets offer one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, and locally-inspired products not available in big-box stores, allowing for more personal and thoughtful gifts.
- Personalized Service: Local business owners often provide expert advice and a personalized shopping experience, building community connections and making shopping more enjoyable.
- Environmental Benefits: Shopping locally often means less transportation and packaging, which reduces the carbon footprint compared to long-distance shipping from online giants.
- Community Support: You help support the dreams of local entrepreneurs and contribute to the unique charm and character of your town.
Skip the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the temptation of big online retailers, and try the powerful alternative of shopping local.
- There are initiatives like Small Business Saturday, which is a dedicated time to support local businesses.
- Great types of local businesses to explore, such as:
- Niche and boutique shops
- Art galleries and craft fairs
- Independent bookstores
- Local farms or farm stores for fresh ingredients for holiday meals
You can visit local markets and events all up and down the coast. Do some exploring and find something new and unique!
Holiday shopping along the Oregon Coast offers diverse options from art galleries and local boutiques in towns like Astoria, Seaside, and Cannon Beach, Lincoln City to Brookings. Specific areas like Old Town Florence provide unique experiences with holiday markets and events, while the Southern Oregon Coast has art-focused districts in towns such as Bandon and Coos Bay. Shopping areas by region
- Northern Coast:
- Astoria: Discover local shops in the historic downtown and participate in “Shop Plaid” events.
- Seaside: Explore Broadway Street for unique shops, including the Seaside Candyman and Heron’s Nest Gift Shop.
- Cannon Beach: Enjoy the festive atmosphere and browse the shops and galleries in the village.
- Lincoln City: Browse the Lincoln City Outlets, which includes brand-name stores like Coach and Nike, or explore local shops along the seawall.
- Central Coast:
- Depoe Bay: Walk along the charming shops by the seawall.
- Florence: Find festive activities in Old Town, such as a “gnome treasure hunt” and “shop small” events.
- Newport: Explore shops in the Nye Beach district and Historic Bayfront.
- Southern Coast:
- Bandon: Meander through the shops in Old Town for artistic finds.
- Coos Bay: Visit cultural districts with various shops and galleries.
- Brookings: Explore local shops and end your search at the lights festival at Azalea Park.
Specialty and unique shops
- Art and crafts: Look for art galleries and craft shops such as Mossy Creek Pottery, Oregon Coast Glassworks, and Bronze Coast Gallery.
- Food and drink: Find local treats at places like Face Rock Creamery, Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, and Cranberry Sweets.
- Antiques and vintage: Browse vintage goods at shops like Vintage 101 and Little White Church Antiques.
- Unique local products: Look for souvenirs like wooden bowls at the Myrtlewood Factory Outlet or locally sourced items.
- Holiday Bazaars and Gift Fairs: Many coastal towns host local craft fairs and holiday markets with unique gifts and food.
- Haystack Holidays: A series of events centered around Cannon Beach.
- Holiday Wreath Making Classes: Some communities offer workshops to create your own festive decorations.
Also, Facebook Marketplace has local handmade goods, or unique items that would be awesome to give and to help support members of the community.
In addition to helping build the local economy, there are also notable intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in your local community.
- Local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors! They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future.
- Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits.
- Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.
It isn’t always the easiest or most convenient option to visit a local independent business rather than a large national chain that might be down the street. However, there are plenty of ways you can help support your local economy by thinking local first:
- Try the menu at a local restaurant for lunch or dinner
- Purchase a birthday present at a local gift shop
- Join a local gym
- Visit a local nursery or hardware store for your lawn and garden needs
- Get your car serviced at a local mechanic
- Visit a farmer’s market to purchase the ingredients for your family dinner.
Top 10 Reasons to Shop Local First
- To shape and preserve our distinctive community character
- Local competition and diversity leads to more product choices
- It keeps and recirculates money in our community
- You’ll help support local job and opportunity creation
- It reduces environmental impact locally
- Because local businesses reinvest in our community
- It strengthens the local economy
- Because the local businesses help fund local non-profits
- To ensure that tax dollars stay local
- It encourages community pride and ownership
So the next time you need to run out for some groceries or do a little shopping, seek out a local business and see what they have to offer! You could discover some great products and services while helping to build a strong and successful community around you.
When you invest money in your local economy, you’re not just helping local business owners — you’re also helping yourself. You’re making your town a better place to live in, with a rich character, thriving economy, and tightly knit community. And the more local businesses prosper, the more new ones will open, making it even easier to continue shopping locally in the future.
Embrace the magic of shopping local and make the holiday season truly special!
Join the conversation and tell us about a great local business in your community, or you know a local business that should be highlighted for the season let us know: info@oregonbeachmagazine.com