PENTICTON – Penticton is unique and has its own flavour and character. The local stores, merchants and market vendors reflect what we as a region have to offer. When you come Downtown to shop in Penticton you will see a diverse selection of boutique shops that have a Penticton flavour, from the beach floaties at Smartshopper to the beach signs in At the Front Door.
We have a unique style and something to say about our area. This shows pride in our community and where we come from. Shopping local not only helps the businesses, but it helps to keep the money local and contributes to strong neighbourhoods. When we keep spending our money local the majority stays within our community and that in turn helps to keep our City economically viable. Our land and business owners are the decision makers in our community and when we keep them vibrant they are able to make better decisions which reflect on our community as a whole. More money goes into the economy which reflects on not-for-profits, on better infrastructure, schools and other important pieces of the overall community. We feel the impact of these decisions, so we want to make sure the decision makers are kept local.
Keeping our dollars local helps to create and maintain employment within our local economy. More jobs, means more money to circulate throughout the local economy. Better jobs, means more people able to buy houses, cars and makes living in Penticton possible. Shopping local encourages creativity from local shop owners. If you cannot find something you want, they are more likely to order in your request or in some cases make something truly unique for your enjoyment. Creativity promotes entrepreneurship, and competition and we are then rewarded with even more shopping opportunities.
Small local stores help to maintain and sustain a vibrant town center. Keeping Downtown compact and walkable, helps to reduce urban sprawl, vehicle use, air and water pollution as well as habitat loss. Penticton has a strong agricultural base and keeping our Downtown vibrant and strong, allows us to keep our land for orchards, vineyards and other agricultural uses. Shopping local also keeps us from all buying the same exact thing from a box store, so our homes are unique and reflective of us, rather than that of a giant corporation. Shopping local reminds us why we love our community, why we love our stores, and why we love our Downtown….come and show us why you #iheartpenticton.
– Kerri Milton is Executive Director of the Downtown Penticton Association. She can reached at kerri@downtownpenticton.org.