November 2022

Frequently known as an antique shop, local resident John McCarthy says he’d like to expand understanding to include his shop as a place to find solid, quality options to what locals might travel to big box stores to buy from tables to sinks and shelving. “Here you can find a 100-year-old oak table instead of a particle board table ordered online for the same price,” said John. In the business of rehoming local and regional furnishings, John says that he buys local whenever he can,“If you spend money here it supports local jobs and supports programs for the community from soccer teams to the food shelf.”

Gifts and crafts at the Bee’s Knees include personal hand-crafted items of both owners with Louise and Jackie. Louise, a multi-decade veteran local business owner, has lived her dedication to a localized economy. Infusing her every interaction with caring for her customers, employees and other area small businesses has earned her the reputation of being a first-rate example of community supporter. Louise says that while the shop does have some Holiday specific gifts, they shine with their huge variety that would make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Part of a family that has been doing business in Lake County since 1935, Scott Seagren says that making a priority of shopping local is the only thing that makes sense to him. Saving on gas and time instead of traveling to bigger cities, and knowing the people you are doing business with are just a few of the advantages of shopping at Seagren’s. “Why go anywhere else?,” Scott asks, “We will match or beat anybody’s price within 60 miles.” On top of that compelling reason, Scott says that “if we don’t have it, we will get it!”

Co-owner Alice Tibbetts says that Silver Bay has been underappreciated and encourages people to come and explore. “I think we have a really amazing opportunity to build visibility for Silver Bay and Lake County. There is a lot of momentum in Silver Bay and it is more than a half-way drive to further north, it is a place to drive to.” Alice believes in small-town local and is a vocal advocate for the city’s new projects and for local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

With the holiday season under way, there is no reason to let gift buying become overly complicated (who wants to get into a fight at a big box store over a “Cabbage Patch Doll” Thanks Mom! I still wonder what ever happened to that doll...) One of the easiest ways to keep it simple is to shop locally. What does it mean to shop locally? Shopping at local owned and operated stores instead of chain stores.