Local Merchants Remind Residents To Shop Local This Holiday Season

It’s that time of year for shopping and gift giving. And area merchants are urging Newtown residents to remember the importance of shopping local.

The Newtown Bookshop even sent a message out to its patrons reminding them to shop local this holiday season. Bookshop owner Christine Godshall said the plea for support was something she always swore she wouldn’t do, but couldn’t help herself this year as the shop is facing tough times.

“As we approach this holiday season, the bookshop is at a crossroads. With the struggling economy and the rise of e-books, sales are down significantly. In spite of having many regular loyal customers and successful events, we may have to make some very difficult choices in January,” Godshall wrote in an e-mail message to patrons.

Godshall said she wanted to let her patrons know the power they hold in keeping the bookshop afloat.

“People are unaware how much power they have,” she said. “If they don’t pick up the book at Target and wait and pick it up when they are in Newtown, it makes a big difference.”

Godshall said the slowdown in sales is partly because of the economy and partly because of e-readers. Regardless, she knows her patrons appreciate the store.

“Everybody says they love the shop, we just need people to remember that and make an effort to shop here so we can stay in the community,” Godshall said.

The shop has been open since 2000. Godshall has owned it for five years.

She said it’s the high level of customer service that sets it apart from other, larger stores. “Everyone on staff is overqualified. They are just excellent at recommending books.”

In addition to books, the shop carries gift items and greeting cards.

Independent bookshops are also instrumental in breaking out new authors, Godshall said.  With the rise in e-readers and the dominance of big box stores, independent bookshops are struggling.

“Nobody is going to be breaking out the new authors the way the independent bookshops do,” she said. And if the independent shops aren’t there, the books available to the public are going to change – and not for the better, she added.

Harry Betz from the Newtown Bike Shop said it’s harder for small, local shops to create the frenzy that big box stores do during the holiday shopping season, particularly on Black Friday.

However, Betz said what he can guarantee customers is fair prices and good customer service.

“My big competition is not the discount and big box stores selling bicycles, it's electronics,” he said, noting these days kids seem to be playing more video games and riding bikes less.