Dear Friends,
Can you believe it’s December? The holidays are around the corner, and 2014 will be over before we know it. It is a busy time of year, so I was glad for the chance to really appreciate the small businesses that make up the backbone of Rhode Island’s economy.
Small Business Saturday is an effort to encourage consumers to buy local, and I helped to kick off the local initiative. It reminded me how important it is to support our locally-owned shops and restaurants. My late father ran a hardware store for many years, and it took a toll on him when the big box stores put him out of business. Over the years, my parents owned several small businesses, and I saw firsthand how challenging it can be. The work is hard, but also fulfilling, both as an owner and as a customer.
When you shop local, more of your money is staying in the community. It is easy to run down your shopping list with a few clicks of the mouse, but this holiday season, I encourage you to join me and shop small and dine small. It’s good for our economy, and it’s good for the soul.
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Sincerely,
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