Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Christmas is just around the corner and so is this year’s Moonlight Madness which will be taking place on Friday Nov. 27.
The Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce invites all to take part in some local late night shopping.
For every $100 that you spend locally, up to $75 stays in the community as compared to just $13 when you shop at big box or chain stores and keeping these dollars within the community promotes economic health and growth.
According to the FSJ Chamber of Commerce, here are some reasons why it’s important to shop locally:
Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.
Interesting businesses are a vital part of vibrant and thriving communities and give small towns their character, personality and soul.
Shopping small is kinder to the environment. Choosing to check around locally before you drive out of town or order online saves travel costs and emissions
The majority of new jobs are created by small businesses. True economic diversification comes from 50 businesses who are able to create one job each, rather than one large employer creating 50 jobs that are more vulnerable to job losses.
Everybody wins big when you shop local. When you’re spending money locally, you’re building the community as much as you are when you volunteer at the school or the sports club.
Fort St. James bucks are also available to help promote local shopping and can be purchased at the FSJ Chamber of Commerce and can be redeemed at most local merchants.
Those who spend more than a total of $10 are also eligible to enter the mystery shopper draw.
The following businesses will be open late on Nov. 27: Overwaitea, Fields, Fort Loonie Bin, Ace Hardware, Window Box, Tanis’ Place Gift Shop, Beauty by Vengeance, Perfect 10, Murray Ridge Ski Hill Lakeside Pharmacy, Northland Automotive, Sana’aih Market and Nahounli Gas Bar and Café.