Shopping Locally Keeps Brainerd Lakes Area Businesses Unique

Shopping locally isn’t just something to do only on Shop Local Saturday. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce says it’s something that should be done all year long. The U.S. Bureau of Labor says $68 out of every $100 spent at a local Mom and Pop store stays in the community, while $43 out $100 spent on a local chain store stays in the community. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber says those extra dollars help the Brainerd Lakes Area stay an attractive tourist destination.
Local businesses owners say they’re usually as competitive and sometimes more competitive than the chain stores. And when they can’t be they say they rely on their customer service to bring the shoppers back.
This weekend Nisswa’s businesses have teamed up to add to the uniqueness with an ugly sweater shopping day this Saturday.