Why Shopping Local This Holiday Season Matters for Our Community

Why Shopping Local Matters — for You and the Communities We Share

The holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on how our spending choices can shape the future of our communities. One of the most meaningful ways? By shopping locally. Local shops, boutiques, and businesses aren’t just storefronts — they’re the heartbeats of our towns. They support jobs, families, and community initiatives that make our neighborhoods special.

Here are three powerful reasons why choosing to shop small (this season and beyond) makes a real difference:

You Help Strengthen the Local Economy

When you buy from a locally-owned business, more of your money stays nearby — fueling growth in the places we all call home. In fact, according to a recent study by American Express, about 68 cents of every dollar spent at a local business remains in the community rather than being siphoned off to distant corporate headquarters. 

That circulation of money helps:

• Create and preserve local jobs. Small businesses are major employers, often hiring neighbors and friends — people who live and work right here. 
• Fund important community services — schools, parks, local infrastructure, and municipal services — through a stronger local tax base and vibrant commerce.
• Encourage further local investment and entrepreneurship, giving small business owners the confidence to grow, hire, and innovate.

In other words: when you support local, you’re helping build a more resilient, prosperous community for everyone.

You Discover Unique Gifts and Enjoy Personalized Service

Unlike big-box retailers whose selection is often standardized and impersonal, local businesses offer something different:

• One-of-a-kind products - Handmade, seasonal, or curated items you won’t find anywhere else.
• Thoughtful, customer-focused service - Local shop owners know their customers and often go the extra mile to help, whether that’s custom gift-wrapping, special orders, or a friendly chat that malls just can’t replicate.
• Convenient shopping experiences - Many local stores now offer online ordering, curbside pickup, or local delivery — blending convenience with community support.

This holiday season, shopping small can mean giving gifts with heart and making memories that matter.

You Help Build Stronger, More Connected Communities

Shopping locally isn’t just a transaction — it’s an investment in your neighborhood’s identity and future. Every purchase helps:

• Support local families and entrepreneurs, many of whom live in or near the community and reinvest their earnings locally. 
• Promote community involvement — local owners often support youth sports, schools, local charities, and other community-driven initiatives with their time and donations. 
• Preserve the unique character and charm of our towns — from hometown boutiques to local diners — making our neighborhoods distinctive, vibrant, and welcoming for residents and visitors alike. 

How You Can Make a Local Impact This Holiday Season

• Prioritize local shops when picking out gifts or holiday essentials — even small purchases add up.
• Explore unique, handcrafted, or locally curated goods for gifts that stand out and support neighbors.
• Take advantage of convenient options like curbside pickup or local delivery from nearby stores.
• Spread the word: tell friends, family, and neighbors why you believe in shopping local.

Every time you choose a hometown business over a big-box store or an online giant, you’re voting for stronger communities — one purchase at a time.

Why Banking Local Matters, Too

Supporting local businesses doesn’t have to stop at holiday shopping — it can extend to where you choose to bank as well. Banking with a locally owned institution like Rivers Edge Bank means your money stays close to home, helping strengthen the communities we share. Local banks reinvest deposits back into small businesses, community development projects, and the families who live and work here. Plus, you get the benefit of personal service from neighbors who genuinely care about your financial well-being.

Banking local also means you don’t have to sacrifice modern convenience. With tools like digital banking, secure debit card options, and our commitment to strong cybersecurity practices, you can manage your accounts confidently — anytime, anywhere.

If you’re not already banking locally, this season is a perfect time to make the switch. Your choice helps keep our communities strong today and for the future.