Shop Local!! Top 10 Reasons!

Ok, T Minus 8 days and counting!!

It's definitely crunch time and the race is on to get those last minute gifts. May I suggest 10 Reasons for BUYING LOCAL?

10. Nothing says Christmas like long lines of red tail lights in parking lots. Admit it, something would be missing if you didn't have to get into "some" traffic while jammin' to 99.5 and Christmas classics.

9. You DO need to touch, smell and see what you are purchasing...I can say from experience that a size online MAY NOT be what you receive just days, sometimes hours before Christmas.

8. Friendly, helpful service from folks in local stores who REALLY know what they are doing! Not script-prompted call centers that can't pronounce Kernersville or Mocksville, NO IT'S NOT KNOXVILLE!!

7. Local businesses need YOUR DOLLAR in this tough economy...why send your money to some off-shore account or to some corporation housed in Timbuktoo? Well over 50 cent of each dollar spent locally STAYS LOCALLY and supports our LOCAL ECONOMY! It's the economy stupid! :)

6. Unique gift ideas...go online or to a big box and you get what everyone is getting! These shop owners spend a ton of time trying to find items that set their stores apart...take advantage of their knowledge! Grab a cup of coffee from your local coffee shop or bakery and STROLL...see what nuggets you can pick out special for that special someone on your list!

5. Take time to remember that it's the thought that counts! Sure thoughts can be ill-fitting, ugly and sometimes embarrassing (me: thanks for the big red underwear mom!) but when you know that someone spent time shopping for you (mom: you like red Brooke and red brings good luck according to my reflexologist) you know that they really were thinking about you and what you like--not just clicking on a random sale item or ordering yet another thoughtless gift card.

4. Make it a social outing...remember the cup of coffee I suggested, well, turn it into lunch or dinner after a long, productive day out with the girls or guys...have fun, talk, search, discover your town!

3. Make history! Yep, you can do just that. Visit some of historic sites and older local shop owners for a bit of local flare! Buy Moravian cookies, tins, candles or send some North Carolina goodies to those friends far and wide...we have such a rich history, unlike so many other states, so share that NC pride!

2. Create a tradition! Yes, I know it might be hard to do everything locally, but it can be done. When we opened our office in downtown Kernersville in 2005, I did all of my Christmas shopping in downtown Kville. Now, it was challenging and especially then, when there weren't a great deal of shops open, but I did it! Now, the tradition in the Cashion family is to still enjoy a shopping trip to downtown Kernersville for gift purchases for ANY SEASON...we start there first! A book at Shakespeare and Co., a basket of NC goodies from Baskets and Beyond, jewelry at Splurges, and the list goes on and on.

1. Because you LIVE HERE! This is your town, city, village, etc. Take pride in knowing that you play an integral part in keeping small, local businesses alive. Your part will make all of the difference in this economy, so that everyone can have the Merriest Christmas possible!

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

Smitty's, Shakespeare & Co and Other Weekend Fixes....

SMITTY'S

Any of you who know me well, know that Jake, Maddie and I spend a good deal of time at our favorite local restaurant--Smitty's. It's just around the corner from our home, has tons of daily specials, both drink and food and like Smitty says, it's a perfect getaway from the daily rigor of living in a landlocked town...my own personal Margaritaville of sorts. There is always someone there that we know and can strike up a conversation with and when the weather is nice, outdoor seating is a premium. Some of my favorite things about Smitty's:
*Karaoke on the last Saturday night of every month (the crowd is not really the regulars, but still fun)
*Margarita's, done the "Dr. South way", with a little splash of o.j. or the upside-down Pineapple Martini in a tall glass with ice made by Darla
*Grouper Nuggets and Monday .40 oysters with horseradish, cold cocktail and crackers
*Buffalo Chicken Quesdillia with onion rings as a side (best onion rings around-hands down!)
*Blackened Salmon Tacos with Chipolte Dressing--light, yet filling

SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY
If you need a read over the weekend or would like to sit down with a cup o' joe and read the paper in a really urban/bohemian atmosphere, check out Shakespeare & Co. located in the basement of THE FACTORY, Kernersville's newest retail/condo project on North Main Street. She has great prices and can usually beat the big guys on pricing and can order anything you need for next day delivery. Great coffee and she's now serving lunch as well! Support downtown!

RANDOM WEEKEND FIX
We're headin' to the rodeo tomorrow night! Jack Daniel's presents::: Bull Riding!! Both Friday and Saturday at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum...cheap entertainment for the whole family! Gives a whole new meaning to contact sport! So much fun! Grab a group of friends and their kids, stop in at Mellow Mushroom in downtown Winston for a pizza and speciality brew and head out for a fun-filled night of ACTION!