As Holiday Shopping Ramps Up, Leaders Push Importance Of Shopping Local


App users, tap here to watch video report.

JAMESTOWN – With just over 50 days until Christmas, business leaders in the Jamestown area are stressing the importance of shopping local, especially if you want to avoid shipping struggles. 

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is foreshadowing that with supply chain issues impacting national retailers, local businesses will be at the forefront of holiday shopping.





In Jamestown, Chamber President and CEO Daniel Heitzenrater says this surge in business activity should help out those mom-and-pop shops that are now back open following the pandemic

“It’s certainly a challenging times for our businesses for organizations, including the chamber on as we all navigate the challenges that we had over the last 18 months, plus during the pandemic and now as we emerged, but I think it’s exciting times as we emerge as well,” said Heitzenrater.

The business networking group has always put the needs of their members first, however Heitzenrater plans to focus specifically on getting people to shop locally this fall and winter.





















“We kind of have put a little message out there through social media and things that folks know whether they own a business, or maybe can start of business, certainly support the chamber and take advantage of the ways we can assist them by joining but also as consumers,” Heitzenrater explained.

We’ve seen a surge in new businesses open across the area, something the Chamber of Commerce hopes they can help elevate.

“Getting them connected with other local businesses and community organizations which is obviously opportunities to sell their product or services to others and also you know those connections that we have as with local government or organizations like the IDA partnership for economic growth, small business development centers folks who can help; we can be that connector,” said Heitzenrater.

As for their shop local campaign, he says it’s easy for everyone to get involved.









“Even if you’re not sure where local stores are located or you haven’t stop by we have the shop local CHQ online marketplace as well, so the local businesses that participate there are you could still do your shopping from home,” Heitzenrater continued. “I kind of refer to it as our local Amazon speak so it’s definitely a good option for people who prefer online shopping”

The website, ShopLocalCHQ.com, let’s businesses build their own online store while allowing customers to shop sitewide. When they go to checkout, each store is notified of the order and ships directly to the customer.

As for what’s available online, it’s pretty much everything from toys, to apparel, to even food and beverage,

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.