MUNCIE, Ind.---Amazon, Target and Walmart are staples of holiday shopping. Black Friday is less than a week away and the holiday deals are flying off the shelves at big chain stores. According to the National Retail Foundation, last year 88 million shoppers made online purchases. Holiday joy might be closer than expected.
“We are a locally owned business so it helps the local economy more than the big box stores do. Also you get much more personal service. We care about our customers and we do everything we can to make them happy,” said Derek Edwards, a local business owner.
If you are looking for the perfect present for a loved one this holiday season, you may not have to look so far. Local businesses are urging shoppers to look small rather than buying from retail giants. Some believe that shopping small can be more exciting than from big box stores.
White Rabbit, owned and operated by Derek Edwards, has books from every genre and topic. At their new, temporary location just three doors down, books are stacked to the ceiling.
According to Edwards, White Rabbit celebrates the holiday shopping spirit all year by trying to keep prices low. He also noted that his business feels the inverse effects of the economy. When the economy is poor, his sales seem to flourish because people are looking to buy used books over new ones, but not always during the holidays.
“Sadly, books are not a great holiday gift anymore,” Edwards said.
Screen Embroidery, a village staple, is rolling out holiday deals. Store manager and designer, Stephen Millben II, shared the store’s holiday preparations.
“When you make custom things everybody wants something because everybody is ordering for, like I said, stockings. People are getting custom stockings. People are getting kits to give away from Christmas gifts,” Milben II said. “But here, most of it is local. This, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Muncie, all the surrounding areas, our services are better. Our prices are better.”
The local economy is dependent on small businesses like White Rabbit Used Books and Screen Embroidery, but also on holiday shopping. Before logging on to the internet to do some holiday shopping, try your local businesses first.
Contact Kennedy Court with comments at kennedy.court@bsu.edu
