Shopping local is crucial not just during the holidays, but all year round, said Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Jen Dean.
By supporting local businesses, customers can make an impact by helping to bring money back into the community and keep the Island vibrant, she added.
However, Island Books owner Laurie Swift Raisys noted that this year has been a bit different and slower on the local shopping front.
“There is a lull of people supporting what we have in our backyard. My husband (Victor), I think, coined the phrase, ‘You have to shop in your backyard. You have to support what you want to keep in your backyard. Otherwise, it goes away,’” said Laurie.
Dean said that it’s tough to run a business in Washington while owners face state tax increases and tariffs.
With Mercer Island businesses rallying around each other, Barb Hovsepian — owner/designer/consultant at Au Courant Salon and The DEN / POSH Wardrobe and Image Consulting — said that people can strengthen the community by dining local, supporting local jobs by employing Island residents of all ages, visiting boutiques and specialty shops and more.
“You send a powerful message, and support our community, every time you show up, spend locally, and invest in the success of Mercer Island businesses,” she said. “Actions speak louder than words — always. It’s simple: show up, support local and champion the people working hard to make it special.”
Over at The Crawlspace Gastropub, co-owner Jason Farrish added that shopping local supports friends and neighbors, creates Island jobs, and the taxes fund the city. Bumping into friends at restaurants is one of the most beautiful things about dining local, he said.
To encourage residents to shop local, the chamber of commerce has devised The Ultimate Gift Guide where people can, “Find inspiration and make your holiday planning and gift-giving stress-free and memorable.” To peruse the guide online, visit www.mercerislandchamber.com.
Also on the chamber front, shoppers could participate in Thankful for Bingo from Nov. 1-21 by visiting participating businesses, finding a hidden turkey at each location and receiving a sticker to be in the running to win gift cards at local shops.
One year, the chamber created cards for shoppers to take to businesses, get a sticker placed on them and potentially become a prize-winner.
Next up for the chamber in supporting locals, it will partner with the city in presenting the Holiday Makers Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The event will feature 80-plus vendors, including artists and entrepreneurs.
Chamber Board President Laurie Swift Raisys works closely with Dean on these events and feels that shopping locally builds and sustains the community.
“You shop where you live, and you keep those businesses thriving and alive,” she said.
As locals support their hometown businesses, Dean said that Mercer Island’s business community is continuously growing and the city has become a desirable place to open shops.
Terra Bella owner Nancy Meade, whose shop features culinary and gift and lifestyle items, believes that people value the independent stores that the Island offers. She’s formed many friendships with loyal customers in her shop and feels lucky to live and work on the Island.
Meade echoes Swift Raisys’ comment that things have been slow for small businesses this year, “And so shopping locally during the holidays is more important than ever and it keeps our local stores vibrant and viable,” she said.
