2020 has been quite a year. The stress it has caused families, individuals, and small businesses has been extremely difficult. I read just the other day that corporations such as Amazon, Walmart, etc., have made record profits during this pandemic. That can be hard to swallow when you see your neighbor’s store or restaurant go out of business. Billions of dollars in profits. It isn’t surprising since we have all been home and ordering online. I can’t lie, I have ordered from both Amazon and Walmart during the course of this, but it has really made me think about where I spend my money these days. Restaurants are getting hit so hard. Making a point to do takeout or delivery from a local eatery could make or break them. In Boise, where I live, we love our local restaurants and in many cases they do better than chains. Hopefully, that will carry them through these next few months. This year I decided to do my holiday shopping with local stores or small online retailers and I have found some really incredible gifts. Ruby Lou is the cutest women’s boutique next to the salon I own and you can shop online at her store! They have the BEST pajamas, jewelry, clothes, candles, you name it. Check out this boutique at www.shoprubylou.com. I think it is really important to support small businesses always, but now more than ever! Here are a few more shops to check out. For great gifts and home accessories www.ilikemixedgreens.com, for books rdbooks.org, and another great boutique that appeals to my boho fans check out dragonfly-boise.com. #shopsmall
