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During the holidays, people head to the malls armed with coupons they received in the mail from major department stores.

However, these same people are often unaware that shopping local has a great impact on their local community, says Patricia Lecy-Davis, the owner of Embellish Multi-space Salon, (1121 Court East, Tacoma, (253) 752-8144) and president of Go Local Tacoma.

"Local businesses help put money back into the local economy," Lecy-Davis said. "When people shop local they pay taxes, and that money goes back to the city."

However, if giving back to your home community isn't enough, perhaps the exclusivity of shopping local might whet your curiosity enough to get you to the local businesses. 

Ann Evans, the owner of The Old House Mercantile (2717 N Proctor St., Tacoma, (253) 759-8850), agreed.  She sells items that are mostly made in the United States in her shop, she said.  Although some of her items can be found in the large department stores, she tries to carry some items that no one else carries, she said.

Fiesta Dinnerware is a great example, she said.  Made in West Virginia, she tries to carry a large selection and she tries to be competitive with Macy's, who carries the product.

"When people come to the Proctor shopping district, they not only can get some unique gifts, but they can get the feel of shopping in a quaint small town village," she said.

The shop also carries Root Candles, from Ohio; linens from April Cornell; embroidered German linens, Polish pottery, fine bone china from England; Camille Beckman skin care products from Idaho; purses from Maruca of Colorado; and sterling silver and Baltic Amber from Poland.

Across the street, her husband, Bill Evans, runs the couple's second business, the Pacific Northwest Shop (2702 North Proctor Street, Tacoma, (253) 752-2242).  On a typical day, Bill Evans spends a large part of his day responding to requests for local gifts to be sent all over the world.

One recent morning he browsed through his e-mail which contained orders for ornaments made from Mount St. Helens volcanic ash from a customer in Nelliston, NY, an order for slugs on a stick and huckleberry honey from Lafayette Hill, Pa., an order for the Puyallup Fair Scone mix from Denver, Col., and a request for a salmon appetizer plate from Acton, Mass.

Evans, who deals with about 400 suppliers and vendors from the Pacific Northwest Region, said his email is full of orders throughout the holiday season.  Although things slow down after Christmas, the orders continue year round.

When you live in an area, why not share it with people who don't?  Some people don't think about it, and others aren't aware of what the local people have to offer.  To build his inventory, Evans travels to locations throughout the Pacific Northwest and meets local artisans, and business owners.  When he finds something he thinks his customers will like he orders their wares, he said.

"I try to buy things from other small businesses," he said. "Then I am helping that small business impact its community."

In his shop customers can buy such things as candy made by Spokandy, a confectionery manufacturer in Spokane; Red Raspberry Jam from the Puyallup Valley Jam Factory; Tacoma Tortilla Soup, made at Rill Farms, in Thorp; Million Dollar Chocolate Bars, made by With Love Chocolates based in Tacoma; noodles in the shape of space noodles; local coffees, teas, and wines; and ornaments and glassware made from the volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens.

"When people buy from us, they help us to impact the economy, even though we are the little guy," he said. "When people buy local, they help impact the local economy by helping it grow." 

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