County Executive Ed Mangano, along other local business leaders, gathered in front of the Bellmore Movies on Pettit Avenue for a press conference Monday to promote shopping locally this holiday season.
“I encourage all residents to support their hometown businesses this holiday season, and year-round, as local businesses are the heartbeat of Nassau County’s economy and make our communities stronger and better places to live, work and raise a family,” Mangano said. “This year, it is even more important to shop locally, as many small businesses throughout Nassau County are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy."
Julie Marchesella, the president of the Nassau Council of Chambers, suggested that there are many options in terms of gift purchasing from local vendors, who, in many cases, gross approximately 40 percent of their yearly income during the holiday season.
“It is a challenging time to be representing main street businesses, who are all mom-and-pops,” Marchesella said. “These are people who contribute to many of the local organizations.”
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Mangano suggested that there are many benefits to buying locally, some of which include:
- Money spent here stays here (keeping local dollars in the economy)
- Jobs and wages (supporting local businesses provides support for the jobs they offer)
- Stronger tax base
- Local business owners invest in our community
- Convenience & Green-Friendly (proximity reduces gas consumption)
Marchesella said that it all boils down to loyalty, and small businesses are going to need help from locals during the holiday season.
"At a time such as this, when we’ve all suffered losses, it’s important for those in the community to come back and remember their own," she added.
Do you plan on shopping locally this holiday season? Tell us in the comments below.
BUSINESS IN BELLMORE
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