Ashley and Houston Binkley , along with their children , browse shops in downtown
Gainesville in this file photo .
Courtesy | Tony Avila
Local stores employ local people , who spend money shopping locally , which helps create a thriving economy for the whole community .
Small businesses generate $ 68 of local economic return for every $ 100 spent with them .
Aside from the financial impact , there are many other reasons it ' s a true benefit to shop local .
For one , local business owners often sell local products — handmade items you won ' t find on Amazon , or dishes you can ' t order anywhere else — which helps preserve a community ' s distinction . It can also create more local jobs .
A local business owner typically has their hand in all the community pies . That is to say , they are invested in where they live and work . A professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma noted studies that show nonprofits receive 250 % more support from small businesses than large ones .
Most times , you ' ll probably even get better service . After all , local businesses are experts in what they are selling , and they ' re passionate about their products , ensuring they ' ll likely go the extra mile to ensure you are a satisfied customer . With the holidays in full swing , there ' s no better time to shop — and shop local .
A quick starting point is Historic Downtown Gainesville , which offers a myriad of independently-owned retailers , many of whom have been familyrun for years . They offer handmade art , wine , antiques , jewelry , home furnishings , meals , craft beer and handcrafted espresso beverages . You ' re likely to find it all , right in your backyard .
TAKE A PEEK AT A FEW NEAR YOU :
AMANTÉ PATIO DOWNTOWN
105 S Commerce St . Monday-Saturday , 11-10 , Sunday 12-8
AMELIA ' S ATTIC
111 W . California St . Tuesday-Saturday , 10-5 . Sundays 1 – 5 . Closed Mondays http :// www . ameliasatticantiquestx . com /
BELLA BLISS BOUTIQUE 105 A East California St . Tuesday-Friday 10-5 . Saturday 9:30- 3:30 https :// www . facebook . com / bellablisstx
BUNGALOW 123
319 E . California St . M-F : 10-5:30 , Saturday : 10-5 and closed on Sundays www . Bungalow123 . com
PAIGE DAVISON GALLERY & CAHOOTS HANDBAGS 205 S . Commerce St . Friday 10-5 , Saturday 10-3 www . paigedavidson . com www . cahootshandbags . com
CYNTHIA ' S CORNER 201 N . Commerce St . Sunday 1-5 . Monday-Thursday 10- 5 . Friday 10-4 . www . yarnwranglers . com
GENE ' S PHOTOS
101 W . California St . Monday-Friday 10:30-5:30 . www . genesphotos . com
GOOD THINGS
500 E . California St . Monday-Saturday , 10:30-5
INFINITY RAINE
209 W . California St . Monday-Saturday 10-5:30 . www . infinityraine . com
JENNIFER FOREMAN PHOTOGRAPHY 320 E . California St . Hours by appointment www . jjfpix . com
KINNE ' S JEWELERS 210 E . California St . Monday-Friday 9-5 . Saturday 9-12 . www . kinnesjewelers . com
KROOTZ BREWING COMPANY
315 W Elm St . M-F 11-10 , Saturday 10-12 , Sunday 10-9 krootzbrewingcompany . com
LOS MARIACHIS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
319 N . Commerce St . Tu-Th 11-3 , Friday 11-8 , Saturday 11-3 and Sunday 11-2 .
GAINESVILLE LIVING 17 HOLIDAY 2024