The Moonlight & Magic event in Downtown Courtenay on Friday, Nov. 17, signified the unofficial start of the holiday season in the Comox Valley.
The streets were heaving, as community members celebrated late into the evening.
While the event itself was only one evening, the hopes are that people return to the downtown core to shop in the coming weeks. The next month is the busiest time of the year for most retailers, but these days, their biggest competition is not the neighbouring store. It鈥檚 the online offerings from abroad.
BC Buy Local Week runs Nov. 27-Dec. 3 this year - an annual celebration recognizing the importance of local businesses to our economy.
Shopping locally has a true trickle-down effect. Employers benefit. Employees benefit. The recipients of the purchases benefit. It鈥檚 a win-win-win scenario.
According to bcbuylocal.com, during the holidays, the average Canadian spends approximately $1,600 on travel, food, drinks, and gifts. If even 10 per cent of that 鈥� just $150 鈥� is spent at a local business, or a locally grown or locally made product, it keeps money circulating in communities and keep good jobs in B.C.
So when you start planning your Christmas shopping, consider buying locally. If you see something online you really want, just check to see if a local business offers that item.
Even if you insist on doing all your shopping online, chances are a local business can help you in that regard as well.
Consider taking a stroll through the community before scrambling online and buying from a website of a company that鈥檚 never even heard of the Comox Valley.
Christmas is a great time to support each other by spending locally. That鈥檚 what community is all about.
