BUTTE - Before leaving town or going online to shop, Butte has one holiday wish.
“We just appreciate it if they would just take a look at what’s available here before they decide to go out of town or to go online,” said Mainstreet Uptown Butte Director George Everett.
Butte is participating in the national push called “shop indie local” that encourages people in small towns to holiday shop at small, locally owned businesses.
“Christmas season is the make or break for retail in the Uptown area,” said Everett.
Joel Broudy, owner of Wein’s Men’s Shop in Uptown added, “We do need a strong holiday season. It still is a very big part of our businesses.”
Online shopping has taken a bite out of brick and mortar retail. And while front porch delivery is convenient, it does come with its own unique problems.
“There’s a downside to that, people will come to your porch and try to take your packages,” said Everett.
Another challenge for local businesses is finding extra workers to help them get through the holiday season.
“Businesses are needing helping and struggling to find that help, or quality help and the right help – the right person in the right job,” said Tabatha Hyatt of Express Employment Professionals in Butte.
Mainstreet Uptown Butte will host an open house event on Nov. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. and invites people uptown to see the many local stores.
