Residents are encouraged to shop local for the holidays.

Pella Area Community and Economic Alliance Executive Director Karen Eischen tells KNIA/KRLS News local businesses can provide most of the gifts on anyone’s Christmas list.

“One of the easiest ways to see why it’s important is to just take a look around at what we get to enjoy each and every day–not every community can say that, and when you support your small business owners, that is the reason we get to enjoy all the different products we can find here and all the different options,” she says. “So definitely we encourage everybody to stay local, whether that’s a gift certificate, a service, or an actual product–you can find everything you pretty much need here.”

“The customer service that is available at small businesses is fantatsic — if you can’t find it, they can certainly help you either order something through them or find a replacement product you might not even think of.”

She says they will be hosting hot cocoa and carriage rides during Small Business Saturday on November 25th in downtown Pella.