Explore Coeur d’Alene

When one chooses to shop at his or her locally owned stores, they are not only saving themselves time by not travelling to other destinations, but they likely are also saving money. Traveling out of town for one’s shopping needs requires the cost of gas, time away from home or work and, depending upon where you go, could also mean a higher sales tax. If you are an Internet shopper, you may save time, but not always money. After all, those shipping costs can quickly add up.

Why not make a conscious effort to do as much local shopping as possible? The benefits to you and your community are many.

Small business owners are known for their contributions to the many nonprofit agencies that in turn help our friends, family, neighbors and colleagues. In fact, statistics show those locally owned and operated stores are two and half times more likely to donate to nonprofit agencies than the large chain stores. Small business owners are the ones who take the money they earn and reinvest it into their community with their own purchases of goods and services. Can the same be said for the “big box” stores? By shopping at locally owned stores you are not only helping to stimulate the local economy, but you may likely be helping other people in the community who rely upon several of our non-profits during the down times in their lives.

One of the other benefits of shopping local includes the opportunity to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful area has to offer. We often are in such a hurry with our daily lives that we don’t tend to enjoy being a tourist in our own community – one that many people each year choose as their vacation destination. During the summer, Sherman, Lakeside, 4th and Government are crowded with visitors, but parking and visiting these local businesses is much easier as the heavy tourism season is now over. Downtown is filled with all kinds of unique shops from handmade soaps, leather goods, vintage jewelry, funny t-shirts, fashion, local high school memorabilia, athletic apparel, and so much more.

Heading up the 4th street corridor you will find a number of thrift stores where you never know what unique one of a kind gift you’ll come across. Almost every storefront in Riverstone is now filled and many of the newer stores are locally owned unique business. You can also drop the kids off to see a movie while you hunt for those perfect gifts.

Hayden offers great shopping options too with several furniture stores, kitchen and cooking specialists, unique toys imported from France, as well as party supply stores for decorations and a pair of meat markets to help you pick out that perfect holiday meal.

So before the calendar fills up too quickly, be sure to set some time aside and enjoy all the greater Coeur d’Alene area has to offer.

#shopping #local