The Westlake Chamber of Commerce is asking everyone to consider doing their holiday shopping locally this year to support small businesses. The chamber is organizing a shop local initiative that businesses can participate in and offer deals or promote holiday items to keep local dollars local, Executive Director Cathy Hoover said.
“Now more than ever during COVID-19, it’s important to keep your spending dollars here and your sales tax dollars here,” she said. “During this economic downturn, it’s that much more important to spend our dollars locally.”
Texas Honey Ham Company is promoting its holiday meals, which come with all the fixings and can be ordered over the phone or through an online form, and will be available for curbside pickup in the days before Christmas, co-owner Robert Siller said.
“It’s mom and pop shops that need to survive this whole COVID thing,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, Amazon is great, they deliver everything in two days but Amazon is always going to be around. Shopping local and supporting people who support your baseball team and give money to local churches is important.”
Rebeca Barlow, who co-owns Schors Fine Jewelry & Gifts with her mother, said their store will be offering 20% off select items between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The company has been in business since 1977 but opened its Westlake location a few years ago. She said she hopes people shop locally to support stores that need the support more than big chains.
“Family business, there’s just a love and passion for what we do and people shopping locally helps these family businesses stay open,” she said.
Local businesses are also taking precautions when it comes to COVID-19 and offering options for customers who do not feel comfortable shopping in person as cases continue to surge. Barlow said her business is offering home delivery and curbside pickup for people who prefer those options.
Robyn Gaskamp, who works for Liz James Designs, said people interested in the store’s jewelry can order it online and do curbside pickup, or have it delivered to their homes. Inside the store, masks are required and surfaces are frequently sanitized. Liz James also offers personal shopping appointments outside of regular business hours for those who want to limit possible exposure to the virus, Gaskamp said.
Kathy Jourdan, who owns Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Westlake with her husband, said her business, like many others, relies on a surge in revenue during the holidays. Jourdan’s business grooms dogs and sells toys, accessories, food and a variety of treats, including holiday and birthday baked goods for dogs. She said that while her grooming services have bounced back since March, the store’s retail sales are still down and she hopes the holidays can help.
For those who are looking to buy a holiday treat or toy for their pet, Jourdan said her store is offering curbside pickup as well as home delivery in the Westlake area.
“We consider ourselves part of the Westlake family and the pandemic has hit all of us hard,” she said. “We do appreciate our clients who have been loyal to us.”
Hoover said she hopes the chamber’s initiative brings awareness to the plight of local restaurants and retail shops, many of which have been struggling this year and have come up with creative ways to serve customers regardless.
“If you don’t feel safe going out, I do think our businesses have been very creative with online sales and curbside pickup and apps,” she said. “If you are OK doing some shopping in person, our businesses have all done a great job mandating masks and enforcing social distancing.”
A full list of participating local businesses can be found on the Chamber’s website, westlakechamber.com.
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