Photo by Marissa Burr Downtown Fredonia and its merchants are decked out for the holidays.

As the clock ticks toward Christmas, many are scrambling to finish up their shopping. Companies such as Amazon and big-box stores have such a wide variety of items ready to ship to your door, it can be easy to be blinded by the fact that they’re profiting off of your desperation. There’s got to be a better way to buy gifts than this.

Shopping at local businesses is the answer.

In June of 2022, the business magazine Forbes published an article, “7 Reasons to Shop Local and Support Small Businesses.” It points out that the tax revenue from the sales tax at local businesses goes right back to the local government.

Shopping at small businesses also decreases your carbon footprint – the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by our actions according to the global environment nonprofit The Nature Conservatory. Local businesses tend to make nearby purchases, which reduces the amount of transportation time, and therefore pollution. Because they are located in a close proximity, shopping there requires consumers to spend less time in their cars, reducing traffic and resource depletion.

Forbes also states that “small businesses are the backbone of our economy.” By employing community members, they are providing job opportunities that aren’t under large conglomerates. This further pushes the economic growth of the local economy.

Small businesses also give back to their community through charities and causes. Seattle Good Business Network reports that small businesses donate on average 250% more to community non profits. The owners also tend to be more engaged with their customers and the area.

Yes, it may be easier in some cases to get all of your shopping done online and have it shipped right to your door. But then you are feeding into a company that won’t hesitate to raise product prices or membership rates. Instead, consider buying your last-minute gifts from the small businesses around you and give a more thoughtful and personalized present.

When deciding to shop in the local area, there are many places to choose from. First, think of what your loved ones are interested in, and find a business to match. Do they need a relaxing spa day? What about a gift certificate to be used toward pizzas during football games? Would they enjoy new books to cozy up with? The options are endless, you just need someone to shop for.

THE FOODIE

– Tuscany Market & Deli – The name for this section was inspired by this first business’s recent Facebook post. Tuscany Market & Deli created a holiday gift guide to encourage shoppers to stop in. They highlighted branded merchandise and holiday sweets. For those who like to cook they carry small cooking appliances, utensils, cookware, along with sauces, marinades, and dressings. They’ve also got baking supplies, cookie cutters, and tools to help holiday baking a breeze.

Their post also highlights local products that they carry made right in town or neighboring cities such as Buffalo and Rochester. Italian specialties are also plentiful for those looking for that taste of home this season.

These products can be purchased directly in store or Tuscany Market & Deli has gift cards available to let that someone special find exactly what they want.

“We hope everyone considers incorporating small businesses into their shopping this holiday season! Supporting small, locally-owned establishments helps to uplift our community in countless ways like bolstering our local economy, promoting jobs in our area, as well as creating new opportunities. Shopping small also strengthens our sense of community and togetherness,” says owners George, Wendy, and Kevin Civiletto.

– Local pizza shops – If you’ve lived in the area long enough to try the many different local pizza shops, odds are you have a favorite. Some have sweeter sauce, others make them cheesier, and the topping choices all differ which allows for everyone to find something that they enjoy. Not to mention their side options like garlic bread, chicken wings and fingers, and desserts.

If you’ve got someone on your gifting list that loves a certain pizza place, or even just likes to have a couple sheet pizzas on hand for football Sundays, getting them a gift certificate can be the perfect gift. Some of the locally owned shops include Lena’s Pizza, Subs, and Wings, Blasdell Pizza, Pizza Village, Mary’s Deli, P*DUBS Pizza, Wings, and Things, and so many more. Grab a gift certificate for their business and give the gift of food.

– Family-owned Restaurants – Not shopping for someone always needing a quick meal? The local area is home to lots of family owned restaurants that offer cozy spaces to have a sit-down meal. Places such as Demetri’s on the lake, Campano’s Cucina, DeJohn’s Spaghetti House, Fred’s, and The Upper Crust Bakehouse are all great places to come together as a family after the holidays to treat loved ones to a meal or to buy gift certificates for so they can enjoy on their own.

THE BUSY BEE

So often the holidays bring a bounty of stress along with the joy, and it can be hard to escape the stress. This holiday season there are many ways to shop local gifts for people that will help relieve all of that stress.

– The Next Chapter Bookstore/Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County – For many, reading is their go-to way to relax, and there’s no better time of year to do so than post-holidays. You have some time off, there’s a fireplace warming the room and blankets at-the-ready on the couch. All you need now is a good book, and The Next Chapter Bookstore has many.

There’s such a wide variety of genres available for anyone on your gift list, including mysteries, thrillers, classics, poetry, fiction, biographies and more. Ask the workers for suggestions based on the person, or roam around awhile and find something different than what they might pick up at a chain bookstore.

There’s also art pieces dispersed around the store that are available for purchase if there’s someone in your life who likes unique pieces. If you’re shopping for someone who spends a lot of time in the car, there are also audio books available that can easily jazz up a long commute.

Even the youngest loved ones can be gifted something from here because they have a wide selection of children’s and young adult books that are more affordable here than anywhere else. Kids will get so many toys this season, but by adding a book onto their presents can foster a love of reading early-on. The Next Chapter Bookstore also has gift certificates available so children can go in later and pick out more books to read.

Teachers can also benefit from this children’s section by helping them build their classroom library that way their students can reap the benefits of this local business as well.

Salon and Spa Trips – There are many locally-owned salons and spas in the Fredonia and Dunkirk area that offer services guaranteed to relax anyone; this can include manicures, pedicures, hair services, massages, facials, and more. Some storefronts include Salon Belle Vie, Facial Expressions, and The Invention Room.

Many offer products only available at salons at prices lower than most other places. When looking for higher end beauty supplies for your loved ones, it’s best to grab them right from the people who use them every day.

Kristy Watson Klemann owns Salon Belle Vie, salon and spa in downtown Fredonia. They are a full service salon and spa offering cuts, colors, highlights and perms. At the spa they provide manicures, pedicures, waxing and body contouring services, as well as massages. They also offer premium hair care and skin care products.

“Retail has always been a big percentage of our earnings. By purchasing these products at our salon it guarantees the legitimacy of the products, and ensures you are purchasing the best products for your needs. You will see many of these products in various discount stores, drug stores and online. They are rarely sold for any less than you can buy in the salon and also are not guaranteed by the company (ie Redkin, Paul Mitchell) due to the potential for fake or altered products,” Klemann said.

The money that small businesses bring in from the products you can give out as gifts make a huge difference. “We depend on this income now more than ever due to the drastic increases in our costs since COVID,” Klemann stresses.

If you are unsure of specific products, choosing to pick up a gift certificate for services provided by one of these small businesses adds a personal touch to your present and can show the recipient that you care about their well-being, as well as the community. You’ve recognized their stress, need for self-care, or how much they deserve some relaxation, and provided them with the opportunity to take care of themselves without the financial responsibility.

Gifting experiences instead of material items is a much more “mindful way of gifting,” according to Mindful Communications, a public benefit organization. They believe that “By gifting experiences instead of things, we can focus on the real goals of exchanging gifts: to express love and generosity to the people we care about, create opportunities to connect with them, and contribute to their greater well-being and happiness.”

Overall, small business owners are pursuing the American dream in which with an equal opportunity, people should be allowed to “achieve their highest individual aspirations and goals,” says Forbes. Large corporations like Amazon and Walmart will continue running with or without your purchases, but these local shops need their community’s support in order to achieve their dream. They are actively working to provide for their families and bring products to the area to help their neighbors, and they deserve support this holiday season more than the big conglomerates.

Tuscany Market & Deli owners, the Civilettos say, “Our area is filled with some amazing small businesses we admire so much. We encourage everyone to explore all that our area has to offer, and embrace their sense of community when checking things off their holiday lists!”