Christmas Brighter for Local Merchants

With just days to go before the big day, things are looking pretty good for downtown merchants in Foley.

A sign of the times this holiday season, keep your holiday dollars at home. "We're local. We live here. We're not corporate we don't have corporate offices. We all are your neighbors here in town so I think thats important."

The message seems to be working according to Patty Adcock whose deli is packed during lunch hour. "It's improved this year. We've noticed a pick up in business, very encouraging. A lot of people we notice are getting into the small businesses which is great that they are supporting the local businesses."

A block away, Jan's Art Studio is also seeing an increase in Christmas shoppers. "It's like every day I'm busy and it used to be I'd go two or three days and have a rush. Now it's just a good steady flow which I'm loving so I haven't had a lot of time to look but I do know the percentage is up. It's been amazing."

Experts say shopping locally doesn't only benefit business owners but everyone in the community. "If we don't pay our sales tax then we don't have police and fire and garbage pick up and paved roads and all those wonderful services that all of us count on," says Donna Watts with the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

There are no hard numbers in yet but from the looks of things it will be a Merry Christmas for local shop owners.