Kelley Archer

Browse the shops in downtown Canton to find the perfect holiday gifts.

Spend Locally This Holiday Season

BY KELLEY ARCHER

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are in the rearview mirror, but the holiday shopping season still is in full swing! And, Canton shoppers have plenty of options for finding gifts all over town.

By opting to spend money at locally owned, independent Canton 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, such as Amazon.

Not to mention, shopping in Canton is a dream. You can pick out gifts for loved ones while enjoying the small-town, homey feel of our city’s historic downtown. While you’re out and about, invite your friends to meet you. The exceptional shopping, dining and cultural activities in downtown 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 holiday 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.

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

Think Pink committee, from left: Celeste Charleston, Christy Holcomb Allen, Celina Meador, Korie Schmidt, Velinda Hardy and Yin Johnson.

Think Pink Cherokee

Raises Awareness, Spreads Hope

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VELINDA HARDY

The 2022 Think Pink Cherokee Breast Cancer Awareness Walk featured live entertainment, vendors, a reception for participants and awareness activities, such as signs showing helpful information along the 1-mile route and wellness booths. Participants gathered in Cannon Park and filled the streets of downtown Canton, honoring survivors and remembering precious souls who have been lost. Proceeds from the annual event help the underserved and underinsured in our community get mammograms.

Pink shirts fill the streets in downtown Canton. Canton’s Downtown Development Manager Velinda Hardy and Mayor Bill Grant.