Shopping locally aids all of us

'Tis the season for giving, and we hope that includes giving support to friends and neighbors by shopping for presents in local communities.

Even though the local economy isn't as bad as some areas hard hit by the recession, local residents and local businesses are feeling the pinch as consumers hold a little tighter onto their shopping dollars. And it couldn't come at a worse time. The Thanksgiving to Christmas season is a critical time for many retailers, who count on holiday sales to make the year profitable and to provide a cushion to cover winter's slow times.

And area restaurants count on feeding the crowds of shoppers to boost their yearly sales as well.

They could use some help, too.

So why should we support them? These are the places that sponsor local sports teams, donate to local charitable efforts and employ family members, friends and neighbors. Nearly 11,000 people in Blair County were employed in retail or wholesale positions in September, according to the latest figures available from the Department of Labor and Industry. That's nearly one in five jobs in Blair County.

Nearly 15,000 more are employed in retail jobs in Cambria and Centre counties, state figures show.

Those are jobs that help support area families. And they provide employment to the people who buy candy, popcorn, discount cards and hoagies to help our children raise money for school projects. They are the ones to buy bingo cards, baked goods and chances on prizes for charitable endeavors. And they buy the tickets for concerts, shows and plays that add to the cultural life in our region.

Not to mention, the millions they collectively spend on food, clothing and other items that keep our local economy afloat.

Shopping in area stores provides a chance to see the real item, not just a picture on a computer screen. It offers the chance to ask a salesperson questions about the product. And it's easier in case you have to make a return.

Tens of thousands of area residents already have enjoyed the deals being offered by area stores and restaurants this holiday season. We encourage you to join them.

Our central Pennsylvania communities have a lot to offer shoppers and diners. And when we spend our dollars here, it comes back to us in jobs, support for local causes and tax revenue for our schools and local governments.

Let's give the gift that keeps giving by buying locally this holiday season.

Member Comments

View Comments: | 1-6 | Post a comment

CressonBoy
12-06-08 7:24 AM »Report Abuse	"Let's give the gift that keeps giving by buying locally this holiday season." What a crock of bu11****!!! You think the money you spend at Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's etc. stays in Altoona? What the fucl< are you hillbillies smokin'?
166482
12-05-08 4:00 PM »Report Abuse	Retail should come when the people have disposable income to support the retailers. The mirrors idea is this, don't worry about your debt, don't worry that you may have a low paying job, don't worry that your job may be eliminated, don't worry that the nation is in a financial disaster, just go shopping. These guys really are cheerleading for the small time business owners in the area. It is unfortunate that the majority of people struggling that read this paper can't make these corporate lap dogs (editors) to heel and support some real plans to get the economy moving in the area.
retiredarmy20years
12-05-08 6:26 AM »Report Abuse	I may be wrong since I have not researched this however, I doubt very seriously that any new substantial business besides retail is going to be coming back to this area anytime soon.
166482
12-03-08 1:32 PM »Report Abuse	Also this is perhaps the most trite editorial. With people foreclosing on homes and defaulting on credit cards at a record rate in Blair County the paper advises citizens to 'go shoppin'. Just yesterday it was reported in the Mirror how the courts are setting up a special section to deal with bankruptcies and defaults. The Mirror is more out of touch than Bush. You guys have absolutely no critical thinking skills whatsoever. This is not an editorial it's a commercial. Pathetic!
166482
12-03-08 1:29 PM »Report Abuse	As long as this area depends on low wage jobs in retail, tax revenues will never grow and the area will never thrive. Maybe the Mirror should write a piece comparing the old jobs from railroads and manufacturing etc. that have left the area with the new jobs at Walmart and Best Buy and Chilis restaurant that have replaced them? Of course that will never happen because the vested business interests whose main concern is keeping out competition that might bring in good paying jobs are the Masters of the Editorial Board of this publication.
guttertroll
12-03-08 6:51 AM »Report Abuse	Yep, and do it on your plastic so we can support the new Credit Card Court in Blair County. It helps preserve County jobs too.

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