THE ISSUE
There’s no denying that Black Friday offers a great opportunity for shoppers to find huge bargains at big-box stores.
OUR VIEW
But once the frenzy fades, remember that small businesses keep our local economy strong and our community vibrant.
SPEAK UP
How much of your holiday shopping will be done at local, non-chain retailers? Tell us what you think of this by leaving a comment below. You can also e-mail your comment here. Or leave a voice message at (630) 368-8882.
Have you been tingling with anticipation for Black Friday?
We can think of a few activities we’d rather be doing in the middle of the night than perusing the aisles of a big-box store. But on this traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season, many of our friends and neighbors are choosing to interrupt their sleep to find some great deals.
Hey, enjoy yourselves! If you can stand the crowds, it’s probably worth losing sleep to get the steep discounts that some retailers are offering.
Black Friday has become so big across the spectrum of national mass merchandisers that many families make a tradition out of it. We hope, however, they don’t overlook another one.
Although most local merchants may not offer deals so big or hours so ridiculous as the national chains, they serve a crucial role in our communities. Small businesses are the backbone of town — providing jobs, generating tax revenues, sponsoring youth teams.
As a community, we cannot let the Black Friday frenzy drown out local merchants. We must not overlook them in our holiday shopping.
Over the past year, our country has endured the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Although some positive signs are sprouting, the effects of the national recession are so deep and widespread that recovery may not be imminent.
But local shoppers can make an immediate difference at home. By patronizing small businesses during the holidays, we can strengthen our local economy and help keep the community vibrant.
So, have a great time on Black Friday dashing from big-box to big-box. Once the hype fades, don’t forget the people who really keep our towns alive. Let’s make local cash registers jingle.
