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Shop local campaign promotes local businesses to consumers

Businesses around town are encouraging consumers to shop local this holiday season – and beyond.
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Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, on Monday espouses the importance of shopping local.

Businesses around town are encouraging consumers to shop local this holiday season – and beyond.

Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, on Monday unveiled the Choose Thunder Bay First campaign, highlighting a number of reasons why it makes sense to make local purchases rather than heading south of the border or turning to the Internet.

“There are so many good reasons to shop local to support the local economy, but this campaign also focuses on the benefits to shoppers themselves,” Robinson said. “Shopping at a local business gives you the opportunity to examine your purchases first hand for quality and suitability and allows you to know what you are getting before you buy.”

Online shopping offers none of those benefits, she added. Things could come in the wrong size, the colour might be different that what one expected or products could break during shipping.

Shopping in the States is costly, Robinson added. In addition to the weakened Canadian dollar, factors such as gas, hotels and meals must be factored into the equation.

“We’ve got lots of great, creative things happening with local businesses and we just need to actually go and see what they’re doing,” Robinson said. “If you don’t walk in their door, if you don’t check out their Facebook page or their website, how are you going to know? Making that effort to see what’s available locally is important.”

Robinson is confident the message is being heard, even without the campaign in place.

“I think there certainly is an appetite for people to support local. We’ve seen a real strengthening of the local food initiatives in Thunder Bay. I think people are really starting to recognize they really want to know who they’re dealing with, where they’re getting what they’re getting and they really want to make sure their dollars are supporting local people,” Robinson said, adding they plan to promote the campaign year round.

Andrew Moro, whose Westfort store J.B. Evans hosted Monday’s kickoff, said the campaign is a great way to help the economy and help the city grow.

“It’s been a little bit of a battle the last few years,” Moro said. “With everything being a global market now, we are starting to see a lot of people thinking a little more local when they’re out purchasing their Christmas gifts.”

It’s the personal touch that makes local businesses stand out, he said.

“Them really knowing their retailer has been a plus and I think people really appreciate that,” Moro said.

The contest launched with a Like our Page Facebook component that will award randomly page followers with prizes that include gift cards and merchandise from participating retailers.

About 70 businesses are taking part in the campaign.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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