By reporter Steven Smalley
Lots of time left to pick up great gifts for those on your Christmas list. Magnolia Voice spoke with some local merchants who ask you consider making those purchases here in the neighborhood. Store owners remind us they are the same group of folks who put on the well attended events such as WinterFest, the Wine Walk, and help support kids? sports activities. Here are a few of their holiday remarks on the subject:
People are very busy, and find less and less time to do much of anything. That affects brick-and-mortar retail. We have terrific customers, just not enough of them.? Mike Smith, Leroux Fine Apparel for Men and WomenShopping local is what it?s all about. I think we give Magnolia its charm. For the Village to be successful it means the people who live here have to shop here. If we weren?t here, Magnolia would be mostly housing.? Margaret Flaherty, Magnolia Garden CenterBy shopping local, you create jobs in the community. Everybody who works here, lives in this community. If you don?t continue to support small businesses, then we?re going to evaporate. Come and do your ?girl? shopping here.? Courean Napolitano, Vixen Day Spa and BoutiqueThis holiday season, no need to go downtown. Shop local. They?re your friends. They?re your neighbors.? Greg Carnese, Magnolia Chamber of CommerceWhat I love about being at the store, the idea of, ?everybody knows your name.? When you shop locally you are supporting your neighbors. You?re supporting your neighborhood. It?s more about serving our friends than serving our customers.? Scott Ward, Current and Furbish
An additional recommendation ? Seattle was one of the cities chosen by the Small Business Administration, a federal agency, to feature eleven small business districts and eleven small businesses for a short video presentation. Magnolia Village was selected with Current and Furbish the highlighted business. Click here to see small businesses within our city, which include Ballard, Queen Anne, and Magnolia.