By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
The last weekend in November was National Small Business Saturday, which included lots of encouragement to do holiday shopping locally. Actually, shopping close to home carries many benefits any time of year.
Jim Rich, executive director of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce explained why he likes to shop local.
“Our local shops offer a lot of really nice things that promote our area and our artists,” he said. “Some of these items cannot be ordered off the big retail sites. Plus for me, I like to touch what I buy.”
Local shopping enhances the spirit of community. Walking through the shops in the Hayesville Square, browsing in Brasstown or checking out selections somewhere in between, affords folks the chance to be immersed in the community. In downtown Hayesville, one can shop for seasonal home decor, handmade crafts, painted furniture, local honey and much more.
Weather permitting, take a break for coffee and fresh-baked cookies to enjoy in the gazebo or on a bench. A hand-dipped milkshake at the ice cream counter in Chinquapin’s Ice Cream is a must for the full Hayesville experience. If Rob Tiger is around, ask him to share some stories about growing up working in the family grocery store, which has become the oldest business in town.
According to Capital One, 8.68 percent of American small businesses are retailers. Nationwide, 2.89 million out of 33.3 million total small businesses are retail stores. Shopping local provides a boost to the local economy because $68 of every $100 spent remains in the local economy. Around Clay County, there are many ways to inject dollars into the local economy and still buy unique gifts.
The Beal Center on the square and the Hayesville Centennial Exhibit beside the post office, are fun places to explore and often have one-of-a-kind gift selections. The Brasstown community is even smaller than Hayesville, but there are several shops to be found there. Right around the corner from Brasstown’s main thoroughfare of Settawig and Old Highway 64, the John C. Campbell Folk School offers artisan works from blacksmithing to gourds.
The chamber offices even have local items for sale. “We have local items here at the chamber for sale. Lots of books, some artwork, coasters, magnets, post cards,” Rich added. “Of course we still have Punkin Chunkin shirts which could make a great stocking stuffer.”
Speaking of one-of-a kind, Hinton Center’s gift shop sells local crafts, as well as Fair Trade items from places like Haiti and Guatemala, as well as stocking stuffers. The gift shop at Hinton Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Hinton Center is at 2330 Hinton Center Road in Hayesville.
Don’t forget the businesses in the small centers along Highway 69, along with those on Highway 64 near town. Whether you want to get Christmas cards printed or buy printer paper and colored pens, you can find it in one of them.
Not sure what to buy? Think about purchasing a gift certificate from one of the stores, hair salons, massage therapists or nail studios. Clay County has several tasty restaurants, a couple of garden and hardware centers, a livestock and pet supply center and a place to grab office supplies. Maybe your gift recipient would like to try yoga or a dance class, or needs something framed. Those may all be found right in Clay County and many offer gift certificate options.
Feeling creative? Make gift baskets for loved ones which include locally bought cards, some books of stamps and a few writing implements. Create a local-themed basket with a Hayesville T-shirt, some Clay County postcards or a print, a stuffed possum and even a subscription to your hometown newspaper. Spend a little time seeing what is available at home and you may be surprised how much you can get without driving far.
In addition to keeping dollars at home, shopping local leaves less of a carbon footprint. Not only are you driving less, but long distance deliveries are reduced. That helps protect our planet.
Rich ended, “I think the biggest issue though is that if we don’t support local we lose that part of our community. So when you look at shopping think local first.”