News photo by Josh Jambor Bob LeFevre from Bob’s Bullpen organizes his video game display case in preparation for holiday shoppers.

ALPENA – Nobody understands the importance of the holiday shopping season like a local small business. In a world where you can easily access gifts from anywhere, shopping locally is more important than ever.

Tony Dimaria, bar manager of Rusty Petunias Marketplace, discussed the preparation that goes into the shopping season, and making sure their shelves are fully stocked.

“For a business that relies on retail sales, we spend months prior to Christmas stocking up on merchandise we think the customers will purchase,” Dimaria explained.

There was a common response from local businesses when asked about the importance of a successful holiday shopping season and what it means for finances during the less busy months.

“Our holiday sales get the business through the rest of the winter, when less people are shopping,” Dimaria added.

Bob LeFevre, owner of Bob’s Bullpen said, “It is hugely important, there is a long drought until the end of winter. February through April is our slowest time of the year. It picks back up in the spring.”

Alpena’s small businesses succeed through the winter thanks in large part to tourists and college students. That business is critical for success during the slower parts of the year.

“We can tell when the college kids leave, and family members go back to where they live now,” Molly Allen, owner of Cabin Creek Coffee shared. “January through April is slow for us. We rely on the shopping season to survive,”

It is important for local customers to support local businesses. Because the businesses’ success or failure depends on the amount of support it receives from the community.

“As a small business we appreciate every customer. Every sale is important to us and our success,” Allen said.

If you are having a difficult time finding a gift for someone this shopping season, local businesses recommend considering a gift card or an Alpena Downtown Dollar which most businesses downtown accept. Gift cards play an important role in the success of local small businesses.

“Our gift cards help us get through January; they are very important for us, and we have lots of them in stock,” LeFevre said.