SHOP LOCAL: Supporting the local economy is more important than ever

Every holiday season, local businesses make preparations for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Store shelves are stocked, seasonal merchandise arrives, restaurants plan for holiday gatherings, and owners and employees prepare for the increased activity that comes with the holidays. For many independent businesses, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas represent an important opportunity to generate revenue heading into the new year. But the importance of holiday spending goes beyond a busy shopping season. For small businesses throughout Polk County and Landrum, those purchases help pay employees, cover operating expenses, maintain inventory, and keep their doors open. And when those businesses succeed, the benefits extend throughout the local economy.

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