As you begin to plan gifts for those on your list this holiday season, Main Street Washington Director Sarah Grunewaldt is encouraging you to shop locally.

There are many shops with a variety of items in downtown Washington. Grunewaldt shares what impact shopping in local stores has on the community, “Basically, if you shop in your community 30% more of every dollar stays within your community. So if you go online to shop all of that extra cash is leaving. But by just investing locally, even if it’s a chain store locally, you’re still keeping 30% more of that dollar, so 30 cents on every dollar is staying. That makes a huge impact to our community budgets. It helps the city and our police department and our fire department do more with funds they have, they’re able to do more.”

Main Street Washington’s Twilight Shop and Stroll will be held Friday, November 17th. The special holiday shopping event means 11 businesses around the square will be open until 8 p.m. Grunewaldt explains each will have a holiday special or a store special on a specific product, “And really it’s a way for people to kick off their holiday shopping a little bit early, get in before the crowds get in. But also really see what beautiful and wonderful things we have in our stores in downtown for gifts, as well as home decor.”

Shoppers are also encouraged to visit local stores on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.