By Jill Hayward BC Buy Local Week was officially underway from Dec. 3 to 9, celebrating the contributions that B.C.- based businesses make to communities. However, buying local should be celebrated every day, especially in small communities where the convenience of shopping close to home is so important, not to mention the economic spin offs as well. Local businesses play an important role in regional growth. For every $100 spent, an average of $46 goes back into the local economy. This is more than double the impact of money spent with multi-national retailers. BC Buy Local reminds people that homegrown companies are more likely to contribute through sponsorship, volunteering and supporting local causes. Their unique shops and services define the character of their neighbourhoods and add to the well-being of residents, and it is the people behind the businesses that keep B.C.’s communities strong,. Barriere’s Annual Late Night Shopping event, happening this year on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 4 p.m. until at least 8 p.m. with some businesses being open longer, is a great way to not only support local merchants but a prime opportunity to savor the spirit of the season in your own community.
Numerous businesses in Barriere are participating in this Late Night Shopping event and area residents are invited to come out and take advantage of this great opportunity to shop close to home and get your Christmas list all marked off.
Here are some of the Barriere businesses who have advised us they will be taking part in the Dec. 13 event:
• Barriere IDA Pharmacy will be offering late night shopping from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., offering many great prices, as well as a ‘pull your discount’ where you can win up to 50 per cent off, an Ugly Sweater’ draw at Munro’s Clothing Store, a free gift with a $50 purchase, free balloons for the kids and much, much more.
• Gift ‘N Gab Trading Post are offering Aboriginal artistry, clothing, handmade gifts and salmon products and will be open until 8 p.m.
• Armour Mountain Apparel will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. They will be offering hourly draws and up to 50 per cent off all clothing. There will be snacks and goodies, and they can be found located right beside the liquor store.
• Barriere Timber Mart will be offering sales of up to 75 per cent off, and everything in-store at 10 per cent off. They will also have door prizes, gift baskets, coffee and snacks.
• AG Foods will have a list of specials at the cash tills and are using the Late Night Shopping event to kick off three days of sales in their grocery store.
• Sweetnam’s will be offering in store specials including up to 50 per cent off select Christmas items, and will also be offering specials in their virtual reality room.
• RGH Mechanical will be open for late night shopping until 8 p.m. with in-house draws, customer discounts, and of course snacks.
• Designer Liquidation will be open until 8 p.m. with numerous sales and of course providing a great opportunity to check out the merchandise in time for Christmas giving.
• Interior Saving Credit Union and Insurance will be joining in from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. This is where you can get your gifts beautifully wrapped by donation. They will also be offering calendars and offering up treats. Interior Savings advises there will be no banking business done between the hours of 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Grade Seven students at Interior Savings will be selling baked goods, as they fundraise for their year end trip to Eagle Bay.
• The Royal Canadian Legion will also be taking part in the Late Night Shopping evening. After you’re finished shopping pop into the Legion and treat yourself to one of their hot drink specials, .50 cents off on draft beer and cider, $13 appies, free pool, and you can enter to win a $25 gift certificate.
• The Barriere Annex Thrift Shop will also be open late on Thursday – until 8 p.m. They will have many new and almost new items for shoppers to choose from for those last minute gifts as well as hot chocolate for a warm up.
• Home based business set up at Blue Jar. A number of home based businesses will have their products on display at the Blue Jar and invite shoppers to stop buy.
Did you know there are more than 493,000 small businesses are operating in B.C. The small business sector employs over one million people in B.C., accounting for 54 per cent of total private-sector employment, above the national average of 49 per cent. Small businesses are the source of 35 per cent of provincial gross domestic product and almost one-third of all wages paid