Shopping local for the holidays - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Holiday shopping will be in full swing this weekend with shoppers hunting down the best deals on gifts. Some business owners want you to shop at local stores this holiday to support the local economy.

 Local businesses we spoke to say the big savings on gifts can be found right here at home, you just have to wait an extra day. It's called "Small Business Saturday. It's a shopping day dedicated to buying local.

"We pride ourselves in our purchasing power. We're one of the largest independent retailers in the state of Ohio and I even think in the country for a single store operation," says John Fulton, Appliance Center

"Shopping locally is fun for the customer, it's giving them a unique shopping experience," says Jenelle Calverley, Fiddle Stixx

 Shopping in small stores is one way to beat the holiday crowds, but those we spoke to say the dollars spent go a long way.

 " We think it's important to buy local. To keep money here in the local economy," says Fulton

 "Keeping our employees employed is obviously important to us and supporting all the local businesses in the area helps everybody," says Calverley

 They say it's the customer service that separates them from the other holiday shopping outlets. Some say "Cyber Monday" isn't always the best deal.

"The biggest question there is when it gets to the house what kind of condition is it in. I don't think a lot of people want to spend money on electronic and have it show up at the door broken. If there is an issue, there is a problem you can go right to the store and see someone face to face and solve the problem immediately," says Fulton

For local business participating in small business Saturday, visit: 

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/