ISSUE; Shopping locally

OUR VIEW: Shoppers make the case for staying at home

The holiday shopping season is hitting its peak with just more than a week to go until Christmas.

Orangeburg businesses are making the push to get customers into the stores for a season that is crucial to annual success. Advertisements proclaim specials and offer gift ideas. The local connection, convenience and service opportunities are emphasized.

Organizations such as the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce regularly proclaim the importance of shopping locally to the economy here. Some will say it's just cheerleading and take advantage of our county's proximity to travel around in their shopping adventures. But many find the grass is not really greener elsewhere. We hear from them sometimes, but in this instance, a letter from Wendy M. Blevins, media specialist at Carver-Edisto Middle School, is of particular note in making the point about shopping locally.

"For many years, the ladies of my family leave our husbands and children home for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Shopping in Myrtle Beach has become a family tradition that we love. This year, for many reasons, we didn't make the trip. My aunt and I decided to go out on 'Black Friday' in Orangeburg.

"The trip began on an impulse ... just to try it. We walked into Sears with a sales paper and one item circled. We immediately found a courteous salesman willing to help. Within 15 minutes, we were checked out by a friendly sales lady. Our car was even packed by smiling delivery men.

"We left to shop at Lowe's. We walked in there and separated to look for different items. By the time I found my replacement Christmas bulbs, my aunt was finding me to tell me that she already had her item and was checked out with the help of more 'friendly' employees.

"We ended our shopping that day at CVS on Stonewall. The manager himself helped me! And the cashier didn't mind that I wanted to check out twice so that I could use my $40 discount.

"Three places, many gifts ... and home in one hour and a half.

"Tis the season on to be jolly! Thank you, Orangeburg merchants, for adding cheer to my stay-at-home holiday."

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