Small Business Week is Oct. 16-22 and it is a celebration of all things that have to do with small businesses that serve small communities, such as 100 Mile House, across the country.
In 100 Mile House, these small businesses are owned by our friends and neighbours.
They support our community in so many ways, and we should be thankful about that.
As much as we don't like it, Christmas shopping has already started.
For many of our local business owners, the yuletide shopping season is a make-or-break time.
It obviously helps the bottom line, but in some cases, it makes the difference in the decision-making process of whether they can continue next year.
Some people do a lot of shopping out of town, which, of course, is their prerogative.
However, every dollar that is spent out of town is a dollar that's not being spent with our small business merchants.
There have been case studies done on the affect of out-of-town shopping on local merchants and, of course, it's devastating.
However, studies have also shown that if 10 per cent of the shopping that's done out of town is done in the local community, local merchants will be able to survive and thrive.
So, we are left with the choice of where we are going to shop.
We urge everyone to think long and hard before they make that decision.
We encourage everyone to shop locally as much as possible.
In these difficult times, we believe area residents should be supporting the merchants who are keeping their doors open, so we can have the basic goods and services year round – so we don't have to travel long distances to get basic goods we really need.
We need to consider how much support the local business owners give to this community – not only within the District boundaries but also
throughout the South Cariboo.
These folks are the ones who support every team that comes through their doors with request for sponsorship – most of them are youth teams, but not exclusively.
And when they're not coaching or helping out on an executive board, these local businesspersons are donating prizes for raffles, draws or other types of fundraisers.
These people also sit as volunteers on various community boards or one of the service groups that help make the quality of life better for all of us who live in 100 Mile House and surrounding communities.
So, do they deserve our support?
Absolutely.
We encourage everyone to support those who support us every day of the year during this yuletide shopping season.
It would be a good way to quietly thank our merchants who quietly support our loved ones in so many ways.