The Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce is encouraging you to shop local for the holidays and show off your pride for supporting local shops.

Charla Robinson talks about the impact buying from a small business.

“That money stays here in our community. It provides jobs. It pays taxes. They support local charities. It helps to build the kind of community that we need.”

Robinson adds it’s really a personal experience.

“When you’re buying local you can actually touch and feel the things that you’re buying. You can check them for quality and make sure that they fit and doing all of those things before you put your dollars down.”

Robinson notes even if gift cards are purchased from local businesses, the shopper will still get the opportunity to really experience the product or service first hand.