Feeling of Christmas

By Gail Stelter

Village sidewalks decked in holiday cheer. In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas!

Thank you to Debra Dart and her wonderful volunteers for our lovely new holiday porch pots. Thank you to all the businesses for brightly decorated windows and store fronts. This is the time of year your Haliburton Village BIA would like you to remember how important you are to village prosperity! That means it’s my time to remind you of great reasons to shop locally!

Shopping locally has a positive economic impact. When we shop locally most of the money made by business owners stays in our community. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses.
Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community who are less likely to leave and are more invested in the community’s welfare and future both culturally and financially. Local businesses donate more to local charities than non-local owners.

The character of Haliburton Village is defined in part by the businesses that reside here. Shopping local gives us the opportunity to own items that are unique to the area that reflect our values our local culture and our interests. This impacts our overall satisfaction with where we live.

We matter more. We get great service. Local business owners respond to our concerns and requests.  When we personally know the merchant we have a connection with him or her. We know that he or she will listen to our concerns and make it right. Local business owners have a lot at stake.

Shopping locally saves us money. Out of town stores have done a good job of convincing us that shopping locally is expensive. However if you add travel costs and/or delivery fees and your time the overall cost is often much higher.

And to show you how much your local shopping is appreciated we have two great promotions for you: BIA WIN that is our Buy In And Win Contest and Men’s Shopping Night. Our Buy In And Win Contest is on now! Shop locally at any Haliburton BIA store and receive a ballot for your chance to win an all-inclusive trip for two to Dominican Republic or $1000 in cash. The contest ends Tuesday Dec. 22 and winner will be announced live on air on Moose FM after the noon news on Dec. 23.

Men’s Shopping Night is taking place on the last Tuesday before Christmas Dec. 22. Our stores are planning great sales will be open until 7 p.m. Our restaurants are highlighting their man-friendly food and drinks. Make sure you visit the hallway at the V&S Department Store where we will be set up to provide free gift wrapping a gift card station for quick and stress-free shopping and if you are not sure what to buy be sure to have a chat with our super shopper who comes complete with gift suggestions and ideas tailored to your needs and price range. It promises to be a special shopping experience for the men in the family.

Living the joy that is small town life can be especially meaningful during the Christmas season. Helping others and giving back to the community is a Highlands theme that makes this a wonderful place to live work and play. Thank you for your ongoing support of your Haliburton Village Business Improvement Area. On behalf of our members I wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope that whenever possible you will shop where your heart is; shop locally.