Our View: Support your local businesses

Shop locally. It’s not a new concept, but with online shopping a mouse click away, it’s a message that bears repeating for old and new generations.

Sure, it’s easy to find what you want online. And sometimes, that’s the only place a person living in northeastern Minnesota can find that special something.

But there may be something equally or even more special lurking in a shop or business right here in Carlton County. Have you visited Sass Boutique yet? Abundant Baby? Or Shop on the Corner, home to multiple makers, artists and vintage collections? How about the Woodfire Candle Company in Esko?

After you have dined with the DAV, family, friends or just stayed home in your jammies to watch the 98th Macy’s parade on TV, please — before hitting the box stores on Black Friday — set aside some funds and time to wander through the many unique and locally owned businesses on Small Business Saturday or soon thereafter. Places like Mainstream Boutique, The Fig Tree, Burger’s Shoes and Garden Isle Bath & Body in Cloquet. N.P. Junction Books, The Green House and CreativEdge Designs in Carlton; Joe Jitters, Ohly Art Gallery and Lakeside Traders in Moose Lake plus Lazy Bear in Barnum and many, many more across Carlton County. Those are only a few of the many businesses owned by your friends and neighbors.

Shopping for someone who already has everything? Buy some local food, a gift card for a massage, yoga class, dinner out or a newspaper subscription (the gift that keeps on giving for an entire year).

For those who need more persuading, Cloquet mayor Roger Maki shared a long list of reasons for supporting local small businesses in a Small Business proclamation Tuesday.

“Whereas, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the United States stays in the local community and every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses purchasing local goods and services,” he read aloud, after pointing out that small businesses are responsible for 61 percent of net new jobs created since 1995.

Local businesses are here for you: donating to your silent auction, delivering food during the pandemic and sponsoring a wide range of local happenings, from theater to athletics to community gatherings.

Maki encouraged residents to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30) and throughout the year. So do we.

Check next week’s paper for lots of Small Business Saturday listings.

Thanks for your support!