Picture this. It is 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and you jump in your car, ready to go to work. You wave to your neighbors and friends you pass them on your way. You arrive at the business, turn on the lights, unlock and open the doors and turn the sign to OPEN.  You look around and are pleased with the way everything looks. The new merchandise looks good on display. It was a difficult decision to add new items. You hope they sell. You always love this time of year, people out and about with Christmas cheer. You get to meet new people, visitors and residents. You start opening the mail. Looks like its net 30 on the new merchandise. Hope it sells in the next 30 days. It’s two weeks before Christmas. You hope the neighbors and friends you passed this morning remember you when they start their shopping. The door opens and it’s your first customer of the day. Deciding to open your own business has been such a dream, but without everyone shopping locally you won’t be able to continue your dream.
We at the chamber are so thankful for the many business owners who represent the story above and have chosen Washington to be their home. We also know that without Beaufort County residents making the decision to buy locally that it will be hard for many of our businesses to make it. We have to make a decision to support our own this Christmas season and every day after. It is so disappointing when we see a business close. Without support from the community it is a possibility for many of our businesses. We hope as you shop this year that you will pledge to only purchase locally and support our own. Remember, we have “buy local” gift certificates here at the chamber. They make great gifts and can only be used at local businesses.