Day 50 of 365 - Shopping Locally

Today is Black Friday.  I admit that I have done a little online shopping for items that were priced very well.  That's about the extent of it for me.  I have no desire to rush out to department stores to bustle in crowds looking for great deals.  It would just leave me frazzled.

One of the benefits of the neighborhood where I live is that it is within easy walking distance of local shops and services.  Since today is a milder and sunny day, I enjoyed a stroll to what we call 'the village' to do a bit of shopping.  This time, I only went into two shops, the health food store and a boutique.

At the health food store I was able to pick up some organic produce for a couple of recipes, as well as some other organic food items and a supplement.  It's like a little general store with quite a variety of items.  Although I'm only purchasing a small part of my groceries here, it helps me to feel like I'm making some headway in buying better quality food.

The boutique I visited carries a variety of gift items, hand crafted jewelry, and Canadian made clothing.  But the main reason I usually shop there is to go to the back room where greeting cards are kept.  They stock a large variety of cards that are quirky, unusual and artistic for fairly reasonable prices.  It's not unusual to hear customers bursting out into laughter while reading some cards.

Some of my Christmas shopping is done online or in chain stores but, I like to frequent our local shops for part of the stocking stuffer gifts.  Things like specialty teas, coffee, chocolate, nuts and soaps are easy to find.  We even have a local pet supply store where I can get kitty treats and toys for my sons cats.

For people who want to make a longer shopping outing, there are also coffee shops and restaurants where you can take a break and enjoy local meals, baked goods or a beverage. The village certainly gets busier during the holiday shopping season.

Those of us who live locally, can shop on the quieter week days and enjoy chatting with friendly shop staff who get to know our familiar faces.

There are several other services too, including a bank, a drug store, a small grocery store, a library, a hardware store and even a car repair garage. It really is like a little village unto itself.  Other parts of the city also have similar areas of local shops and services.  They are a nice alternative to the big box stores.

As well as supporting local business, shopping locally is a pleasant experience.  Instead of coming home feeling harried from a hectic outing, I feel satisfied with both my purchases and with personal interactions.  That's a definite bonus to me!




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