Shop local Saturday happens once a year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Of course it's always good to shop local as it keeps tax dollars, good and services in your community and helps local vendors stay in business.
But why not making it "Shop Local Every Day?" After all, we could all get into the habit that way and the benefits would explode!
My Thanksgiving holiday is spent in Ames, Iowa, visiting my daughter and her family. It's a treat and an annual tradition to shop local on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
One of our stops included Dog Eared Books, which was founded by 2 moms who opened up the book store in downtown Ames, Iowa. They are a former journalist and a teacher who both love books and dogs.
One of the owners handed me a sack for my leftovers from lunch, smiling and helpful! It was a delight to witness eager shoppers perusing books, delighted to be there.
Their special store has book recommendations and descriptions for almost every book. Books are separated by grade levels, interests, and categories with recommendation noted throughout the store. One owner's dog, Lovie, was manning the entrance and my granddaughter Emma gave her lots of attention.
The upstairs reading loft is heaven with comfy chairs and a sofa overlooking the store. It's the perfect spot to read and ponder the selection of another book!
The Pumpkin Patch in Ames, Iowa is a tradition since 1978. Toys, stuffed animals, books, and clothing are found locally for their store shelves! The store is unique in that it's family owned and operated. This store is an annual tradition. Emma always finds a treasure!
Emma selected a cute, squishy stuffed animal for her collection. The bear has held prominent positions during lunch, and eventually took to swinging with Emma.
Chocolatier Stam was first founded over 200 years ago in Amsterdam. The family eventually migrated to Iowa where the first US store was located. Now known as Stam Chocolate, this beautiful shop in Ames hosts long cases of Dutch chocolates and Gelato. This treat of a store is welcoming and meticulous in presentation and a delight to visit!
Our shopping is complete and we walk back to my daughter's home. Emma ended our walk with her bear flying high!
When you shop local, you'll keep Main Streets vibrant and reduce blight with fewer vacant buildings. Buying local, you'll save shipping costs, reduce pollution and carbon emissions by trucking products from manufacturing facilities to fill shelves.
Visiting from Arizona, it was a real treat to experience the fall weather in Iowa. Appreciating all things old, I loved seeing the older architecture and friendly Iowa residents :)
If you haven't shopped local before, please plan on it next year. Find a spot in your city where you can walk to many stores. Research in advance to find holiday gifts for your gift giving recipients. You can pass on the tradition and create your own annual traditions!
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