Holiday options abound in downtown Highland
With Michigan's economy slowly showing signs of recovery, business owners throughout the state are hoping a strong holiday shopping season propels them into prosperity for 2012.
More and more people are jumping on board with the "shop local" theme, trying to support local businesses instead of throwing their disposable income at faceless corporations and foreign entities.
There's a simple reason why people should consider shopping in the local community, according to Missy Dasevich, executive director the Highland Downtown Development Authority. "It's to keep your neighbors employed," she said.
The idea seems to have merit. Research indicates more than two-thirds of the money spent shopping at local, independent stores is reinvested in the local community. Whether those businesses are paying local taxes, employing friends and neighbors or donating to any number of school or civic fundraiser, local businesses help maintain a thriving community.
"It's so important to shop local, because the money that you spend stays local. If you really enjoy those local merchants - the corner gift store, markerts - you should make an effort to visit them, to keep them around," said Dashevich.
A popular email making the rounds in people's inbox reinforces the idea. The email encourages people to take a different route this gift-giving season by giving loved ones what they need while supporting the local gift shop, restaurant or professional business.
"As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply-produced goods - merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor," the email states. "This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is."
The chain email suggests purchasing gift certificates for loved ones.
The Huron Valley community has a wealth of locally-owned businesses that would love your support.
Perhaps your sister has a labrador retriever that likes to roll around in whatever stench it can find in the back field. Or maybe your daughter has a Pomeranian with a penchant for ribbons and feathers in its hair.
Then a gift certificate for a place like Silver Bone pet groomers in Highland may be the perfect present.
Or if you have a young grandchild in the family, and you want to help start him on his road to riches, consider opening a savings account some place like Kensington Valley Credit Union.
With haircuts, oil changes, restaurants or massages, there's no shortage of ideas if you go the gift certificate route.
But sometimes you want to see your loved ones rip the paper off the box and tear into the box to see what's inside. There's still plenty of stores within a few miles of your home to find what you're looking for.
Stores like Fragments on Milford Road have a little bit of everything for kids and adults alike. Fragments also features local artists, so you're supporting the local community even more when shopping. Or Caveman Consignments just down the street has just about anything you need for that man in your life.
Looking for something even more personal? Local crafters spin their own wool to create scarves, or forge their own jewelry, or mold their clay pots or build unique wooden boxes.
The Huron Valley Council for the Arts is an option for finding a one-of-a-kind gift. Their holiday market - all local artists - runs through December and can help ensure no one else will give Aunt Clara the same present as you.
Shopping locally isn't something to be restricted to the holidays. There's a number of benefits to keeping your spending dollars close to home.
In addition to keeping money in the community, independent businesses help keep the community unique. Where you eat, shop and have fun all helps make the Huron Valley home. These shops help create a distinct character, something that defines it as unique, instead of simply a feeling of being anywhere.
So when you head back out to pick up those last few presents, save some time and help build up the community by shopping local.
By Philip Allmen (Printed in the Milford Times 12-8-11)
