May 21, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, a new movement wants shoppers to buy from local businesses this holiday season.
The idea sprang from Metro Pulse Newspaper, which targeted area businesses that are looking to cash in during the holidays.
Janice Pollock, owner of from Me to You and Me and Mommy-to-be, says local vendors know how to deliver to customers.
"People will come in here, they'll order their things. If you don't wanna come back in, drive up we'll walk it out to you," Pollock said.
Pollock's gift shops offer unique and personal items and are part of the "Shop Knox," an initiative that encourages shoppers to buy from local vendors and backed by the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.
"Shop Knox is about making local choices," said Garrett Watley with the Chamber. "Buying local first, thinking local first."
"You're going to shop where you're going to shop. I certainly wouldn't discourage anybody from spending money in this economy," said Wagley. "But if you can find the stuff you're looking for locally, buy it locally."
For many local vendors, online shopping has put a dent in their bottom line.
"I would like to use local vendors more than, like, the online, just to be supportive of our community," said shopper Janie Latham. "[b]ut at the same time it's a price-driven economy."
But, according to Pollock, those local shops offer something special.
"If you're not shopping local, you're nor going to find the customer service," she explained. "[y]ou're not going to find the unique product, you're not going to find the tiny business that are happy to be here and happy to serve you."
