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!

Arts D'Vine Event in Downtown Kernersville This Weekend...

Much like the Salute! wine festival featured in an earlier blog post, downtown Kernersville is joining the act by featuring not only local NC wineries, but also local artists and musicians. Unlike, Salute! this event is FREE and open to everyone. This unique event is a first for Kernersville and is an effort to draw residents and visitors to the downtown area who may not be familiar with what downtown Kernersville has to offer. After the recent 1.3 million dollar renovation, there will be plenty to enjoy!

The event will consist of businesses that will open their doors to local artists and wineries. Scattered throughout the event will be varying musical acts including The Chris Lane Band which seems to have a pretty decent following based on the crowd at Indigo Joe's a little over a month ago. There will be some sort of indicators on the participating businesses so make sure that you don't stay in one spot too long though the temptation will certainly be there!

My suggestion would be to arrive right at the beginning of the event, scope out some various vendors and then settle in to one of the more central locations for some music and some good 'ol fashioned people watching.

So I look forward to seeing you THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 6 from 5-8 in downtown Kernersville!

Cheers!

Brooke