5 Reasons to Buy Local for the Holidays

1. "The reason people should buy local is that 68 percent of every dollar someone spends in local stores goes back into the economy. In the big box store only 43 percent goes back into the local economy," Meredith Nunes, owner of , said, quoting information from the 350 Project website. 

2. "We are supporting our neighbors, our friends, we are supporting our communities. We are keeping our own economy going. Everyone is looking for a bargain by buying from China but we are shooting ourselves in the foot. Were giving away the community stores," Debbie Haray, owner of , said.

3. "I want to support the people in my community who are paying the taxes and who live here and buy from them as much as possible," Pam Zeicko from , said. 

4. "Shopping local helps maintain the fabric of a town and the character of a town. If you don't shop local and the small business disappear, you will have no choice but to go to the big boxes," John Paltrineri, owner of , said. 

5. "Because we know your first name, and we know you and your family. We smile and make eye contact. People don't care in the big stores. Customers think our prices are going to be more but they are actually less," Megan Styffe from , said.