Try shopping locally: Christmas a good time to support area merchants

During this hectic holiday season, many local residents make the trek to neighboring cities to shop for Christmas gifts for family members and friends. But area businesses encourage residents to stay local this holiday season, not just to boost revenue, but also to enjoy the shopping experience.

Every time local businesses hear the bell ring as the door is opened, customers are greeted with a smile and words of welcome. Business owners take the time to stop and chat, give gift ideas, and share in a story or a memory with visitors.

Each shop in downtown Ritzville is decorated for the Christmas season, and customers can shop the aisles at a comfortable pace. Every business has something new or unique for customers, and as many local business owners point out, they sell the similar products sold at larger stores.

For individuals with a wide range of age groups on their holiday shopping list, the Ritzville Drug Company provides a diverse selection of gift ideas. For owner Sam Duncan, he believes the store offers customers with a broad selection of practical gift ideas that may be overlooked.

“We have a lot of things people don’t traditionally think of,” Duncan explained. “Depending on the age group you are searching for, you can find meaningful gifts.”

The store’s shelves are currently overflowing with children’s toys and all winter items are on sale, with the more popular items selling quickly. Cougar Gold cheese has been hard to keep in stock because of the demand, and recent deliveries of flower hair clips, Christmas candy and Montana Jewelry are expected to be popular stocking stuffers.

Right next door at Wild Flowers Quilt Shop and Liquor Store, spirits are available to provide the extra holiday cheer for any gathering or party during the Christmas holiday. Owner Ami Danekas has already marked all of the holiday specials on spirits with a red tag, and the discounts will last until the New Year celebrations. The store also carries a large variety of supplies and holiday fabric for quilters.

Danekas explained that traditional holiday beverages, such as Kahlua and Schnapps, are always popular during the Christmas season and all flavors are in stock. Two recent additions to the liquor selection at the store include Bird Dog blackberry flavored whiskey and An Evil Spirit, a cinnamon flavored whisky.

Traveling down the block, the “decked halls” of Sunny Spot Floral & Gifts provide a cheerful atmosphere for shoppers. Owner Connie Galbreath spends an extensive amount of time decorating the shop to make it welcoming and festive for customers.

Gift ideas are endless, and customers only have to ask Galbreath for advice and she will take them around the store, displaying ideas. The store is stocked with books, jewelry, baby items, Spokandy chocolates, Bruttles candy and home décor, and shoppers can enjoy a fresh brewed coffee as they search for the perfect gift. Galbreath also reminds shoppers that a floral arrangement is always a good gift idea for a loved one.

“As our business community continues to shrink in size, it becomes more and more necessary to support the local businesses that are still here trying to keep their doors open. I encourage each and every one of us to do as much local shopping as we can during this holiday season and into the New Year,” Galbreath said. “Let’s make our home town prosper and hope that we can attract new business to our community.”

Down at Bob’s TV & Appliance, owner Scott Kembel has stocked the store full with holiday toys and gadgets. The giant stack of remote controlled vehicles and helicopters serve as a great gift for youngsters or those young at heart.

Kembel also has a variety of HD TV’s available and said their popularity has increased as gifts within the last few years. He also has the perfect Christmas gift for any avid book reader, a Kindle. The store has an endless amount of practical gift ideas for any technological member of the family.

Business owners stress the importance of shopping local because it benefits the stores, and also the community. All of the businesses donate or volunteer to many other local organizations throughout the year, and hire locally when positions become available.

Duncan also emphasized the significance of staying local to stay safe, as road travel during the holiday season can be busy and unpredictable. Shopping at a local business provides customers with a safe and satisfactory experience, which directly benefits the community.