Kelley Archer

BY KELLEY ARCHER

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and the holiday shopping season are in the rearview mirror, but Woodstock and Canton shoppers still have plenty of options for finding gifts all over town. Get a head start on buying gifts for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

By opting to spend money at locally owned, independent businesses, we can invest in our community. Experts suggest that, for every dollar spent, small-business owners invest three times more into the community than chain retailers do — and a staggering 50 times more than behemoth online retailers.

Not to mention, shopping in Woodstock and Canton is a dream. You can pick out gifts for loved ones while enjoying the small-town, homey feel of each city’s downtown area. While you’re out and about, invite your friends to meet you. The exceptional shopping, dining and cultural activities in downtown Woodstock, Canton and at The Mill on Etowah help foster meaningful local connections.

You can shape our community’s character, as well, by supporting small businesses you love, as this incentivizes new businesses to start up. From restaurants to retailers, the exchange of goods and services results in a vibrantly eclectic economy, delivering more shopping options and contributing to the community’s interconnected spirit.

And, don’t limit your spending to shopping only for goods. Think outside the box for gifts, while still spending locally. Dine out to support local restaurateurs, and pick up a gift card while you’re there. Or, invest in a local gym membership for the new year, for you and a loved one. Visit a local yoga or art studio, and consider buying a class or experience as a gift, instead of material items. And, don’t forget about gift certificates to local retailers or event tickets. As a community, we can make our best effort to keep our dollars local — it’s a win-win.

Browse the shops in downtown Woodstock to find the perfect gifts.

Kelley Archer is the marketing director for Great Sky in Canton.

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