Shop Small!

October 31, 2012 Currents No comments

My favorite part of the holidays is selecting gifts for my loved ones. I put lots of thought into what may make my mom smile on Christmas morning, and I can hear her saying in my mind, “Thank you, honey!” As we gather around the tree, I pass out gifts left and right, reveling in the surprised faces of my family.

I also love packing shoe boxes full of toys, books, washcloths, and soap for Operation Christmas Child, a program from Samaritan’s Purse which delivers donated boxes to impoverished children across the globe. To me, there can be no greater feeling than to give.

The most important thing to remember, whether buying for friends, family or charity, is that it’s so easy to make an impact locally with our dollars. For every $100 spent with small businesses, studies commissioned by Local First show $68 stays in the local economy. Those folks who shop online send $57 running out the door!

That same study states that just a 10 percent increase in shopping locally would generate $140 million in new economic activity and would create 1,600 new jobs. These statistics pertain to West Michigan—but if such a small shift creates such a huge impact, imagine what we can do for Southport, Oak Island, Bald Head Island and Boiling Spring Lakes.

Plus, a warm greeting and knowledgeable advice come standard and free with every local purchase. Take that, Amazon.

As well, on the official “Shop Small Saturday,” November 24th, participating shops in the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce will have unique specials between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. These specials will only be available between these hours. As a reward for shopping small, participating restaurants will offer customers a special meal deal on Saturday, November 24th just by showing a receipt dated 11/24 from a local merchant. This holiday season take a pledge to Shop Small, Spend Local, Eat Local and Enjoy Local—support the local businesses that support our community.

PARTICIPATING SHOPS:
Art @ 211 The Ricky Evans Gallery, 211 N. Howe Street, Southport
Boo & Roo’s, 303 N. Howe Street, Southport
Cattail Cottage, 122 N. Howe Street, Southport
The Christmas House, 104 W. Moore Street, Southport
Color Me Carolina, 300 Country Club Drive, Oak Island
Howe Outrageous, 307 N. Howe Street, Southport
Lantana’s Gallery & Fine Gifts, 113 S. Howe Street, Southport
Rebecca’s Fabrications & Consignment Shop, 416 N. Howe Street, Southport
Seaside with Coffee, 8017 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island
Talefeathers, 414 N. Howe Street, Southport
Uncorked by the Sea Wine Shop & Gallery, 602-A N. Howe Street, Southport

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:
The Bar-B-Que House, 5002 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island
Bella Cucina Seafood Pasta & Pizza, 5177 Southport-Supply Road, Southport
Crazy Cake Chicks, 5119 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island
Duffer’s Pub & Grill, @ Oak Island Golf & Country Club, 928 Caswell Beach Road, Caswell Beach
Moore Street Market, 130 E. Moore Street, Southport
Papa John’s Pizza – 4961 Long Beach Road, Suite 5, Southport
Ports of Call Bakery & Bistro, 116 N. Howe Street, Southport
Quizno’s Subs, 5130 Southport-Supply Rd., Suite 107, Southport
The Trolly Stop, 111-A S. Howe Street, Southport

ON BALD HEAD ISLAND

SEE A PATTERN: Ya green sweater ($52), Free People skirt ($98); Free People sweater ($128), Ya fur vest ($58), Free People jeans ($68). Maritime Passage (14 Maritime Way, Bald Head Island; 457-8420) and Canopy Outfitters (14 Maritime Way, Bald Head Island, 454-8248).

Thymes Reed Diffuser in Blue Lotus. Designed to enhance any décor, this reed diffuser is an elegant twist on traditional home fragrance, offering a fragrant escape to a whole new world. The fragrance layers your surroundings in sheer floral and tranquil marine fragrance. $50; Room Service, 4 Maritime Way, Bald Head Island. 457-9911

THE TURTLE CLUB: Vietri tortoise shell glass platter ($45), plate ($20) and bowl ($20); Room Service (4 Maritime Way, Bald Head Island; 457-9911)

Beatriz Ball Ocean Napkin Holder & Weight. The pieces are made entirely by hand using the ancient art of sand casting. Made of an aluminum alloy, it will never tarnish. Beautifully finished on the inside and outside, these boxes can be used to hold, candies, nuts, perfume bottles, paperclips, keys … and even napkins! This elegant gift includes six elegant hemstitched linen coasters. Holder ($56); Weight ($14); Room Service, 4 Maritime Way, Bald Head Island, 457-9911.

AT BOO & ROO’S

I’VE BEEN FRAMED: Handmade wooden frames, varying sizes and colors $24.95-115; Boo & Roo’s (303 N. Howe St., Southport; 363-4275)

CUFF ‘EM: Fashion cuffs, varying styles (calf, stingray, more) $59.95-74.95; Boo & Roo’s (303 N. Howe St., Southport; 363-4275)

AT BACKYARD WILD

NEST EGG: Biodegradable bamboo bird houses, $21.95; Backyard Wild (105 E. Brown St., 457-9453)

AT DEBORAH’S PLACE

COOL AND COMFORTABLE: Nautical pillows, $11.98-30.98; Deborah’s Place (114 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-0921)

AT CATTAIL COTTAGE

ILLUMINATE ME: Luminara flameless candles with realistic moving wick, $43.95-52.95; Cattail Cottage (122 N. Howe St., Southport; 454-4533)

AT THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE

HUDDLE UP: Collegiate jersey ornaments; The Christmas House (104 W. Moore St., Southport; 457-5166)

WHAT A PAIR: Books and stuffed animals to match the characters, $3.99 and up; The Christmas House (104 W. Moore St., Southport; 457-5166)

AT COLOR ME CAROLINA

SOUTHERN BY THE GRACE OF GOD: Southern-themed decor, plates and mugs (above and below), $14.99-36.99; Color Me Carolina (300 Country Club Dr., Oak Island; 933-4531).

See above caption.

CHOP CHOP: Sea-themed mini cutting boards, $14.99-21.99; Color Me Carolina (300 Country Club Dr., Oak Island; 933-4531).

AT ABSOLUTE VAPOR

FOR THE QUITTER: Made in the USA E-Cigarette starter kit ($59.99), liquids ($9), battery case accessory ($27.99); Absolute Vapor (5081 Southport-Supply Rd., Southport; 457-9946)

AT FOUR LEGS GOOD

CUTE PUP OVERBOARD: Doggie lifejackets, $32.99-38.99; Four Legs Good (310 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-0115).

WHITE COLLAR: Walls and walls of collars, in varying styles and sizes, $12-45; Four Legs Good (310 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-0115).

FOR THE LOVE OF TASTE: Captain Spriggs’ Hometown doggie treats, 6-oz. bag for $7, 11-oz. bag for $10.50; Four Legs Good (310 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-0115).

AT RENEE’S FINE JEWELRY

READ MY PALM: Cubic Zirconia palm tree necklace with sterling adjustable chain, on sale for $89; Renee’s Fine Jewelry (602 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-7714)

AT KOPP-A-TAN

SCOUT’S HONOR: Scout wallets and totes, $6.50-$48; Kopp-A-Tan (3196 George II Hwy., Boiling Spring Lakes; 845-5080)

AT LANTANA’S

Blenko water carafes, hand-blown in West Virginia—now available in new mini size. $36-45; Lantana’s (113 S. Howe St., Southport; 457-0957)

A YAY FOR EVERYONE YOU KNOW: Super happy “Yay” magnets. $3.95 each; Lantana’s (113 S. Howe St., Southport; 457-0957)

Gorgeous, fun picture frames hand-crafted in the USA—stained glass and bead work, many sizes. $30-73; Lantana’s (113 S. Howe St., Southport; 457-0957)

Cute original paintings of trees and jellyfish by local artist Wendy Kowalski. She’s offering a special of 20% off one or two, or 30% off 3 or more. $18-155; Lantana’s (113 S. Howe St., Southport; 457-0957)

Shiny glass dichroic earrings from a local artist! $20-25; Lantana’s (113 S. Howe St., Southport; 457-0957)

AT THE MCNEILL COMPANY

STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE: Wine stoppers, $9.75-9.99 each; The McNeill Company (6102 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island; 933-4525).

SIP FROM THE SEA: Nautical wine glasses, $10.50 each; The McNeill Company (6102 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island; 933-4525).

Friendship balls, $16 each; The McNeill Company (6102 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island; 933-4525).

AT SHOPGIRL

Treska rings, $15-22; ShopGirl (701 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-9575)

SPELL IT OUT: Waxing Poetic alphabet charms; ShopGirl (701 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-9575)

AT SOLE SEARCHING

BEST FOOT FORWARD: ‘Charley’ (gold shoe, $89); ‘Lotus’ (gray and wine, $115). Sole Searching (715 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-0450)

Lollia perfume, candles, shea butter creams, and more, $8.50-48; Sole Searching (715 N. Howe St., Southport; 457-0450)

AT THE TACKLE BOX

DAYS UPON DAYS: Yeti cooler: holds ice for 10 days, extremely durable, bear proof, $199.99-599.99. Pictured here, 65-quart. Normally $359.99, mention this and get it for $329.99! The Tackle Box (600 W. Brunswick St., Southport; 454-9227)

AT THE WINE RACK

PICK YOUR SIX: Custom six-packs of beer, cost varies but six-packs receive 20% off bottle price. The Wine Rack (102 W. Brown St., Southport; 457-5147).

AT THE YAUPON TREE