12 Days of Local Holiday Shopping supporting local businesses 

This holiday season, every dollar spent locally will help make a positive difference to local businesses who are dealing with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.

That’s why the Town of Whitby and Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area (BIA) have partnered up to launch ‘12 Days of Local Holiday Shopping’; to encourage residents to find that perfect gift while supporting locally-owned businesses.

For every $100 spent locally, $70 is reinvested back into the local economy. Shopping local also helps protect and create local jobs, support Whitby’s innovative spirit and, this holiday season, provides the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts. It demonstrates to Whitby businesses that residents care about and support them during this challenging time.

To support shopping local, gift ideas based on the 12 themes below will be regularly featured on social media and whitby.ca/shoplocal between now and December 24. Themes include:

• Craft Beverages
• Fine Foods
• Health and Fitness
• Specialty Shops
• Coffee and Chocolate
• Home Decor
• Entertainment Attractions for the Family
• Culinary & Restaurant Experiences
• Artisans of Whitby (Photography/Arts/Crafts/Makers)
• Beauty & Wellness (Spas/Salons/Etc.)
• Automotive (Auto Spas/Dealerships/Body Shops)
• Bakeries
Watch the Town and BIA’s social media channels to watch videos and learn more about the entrepreneurs behind Whitby’s local businesses and how you can help support them while checking people off your holiday gift list.

Residents can also view products being offered by a wide range of businesses across the Region of Durham at shopdurhamregion.ca.

QUOTES

“Now, more than ever, we need to support local businesses. They continue to face huge challenges as we enter the holiday season. Please lend a hand by shopping local. Your support really matters.”

- Mayor Don Mitchell

“Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, and supporting local has always been important, but now, it’s more important than ever. The Downtown Whitby BIA is thrilled to bring the 12 Days of Local Holiday Shopping initiative to the community in partnership with the Town of Whitby. We are excited to highlight the unique shops, services and restaurants that Downtown Whitby has to offer. This year, we want to make it easier than ever to shop local and support local!”

- Karey Anne Large, Downtown Whitby BIA Executive Director

QUICK FACTS

• There are approximately 2,400 businesses located in Whitby, employing approximately 43,300 people.
• Even more ways to support these local businesses include:
o Writing a positive review or giving them a shout-out online
o Telling your friends and family about their products
o Following them on social media and engaging with their posts
o Signing up for their newsletter to stay informed
• In the Town’s 2020 Community Survey, 80% of participants who work locally said they are proud to say they work in Whitby.
• In a recent survey conducted by the Town, nearly 80 per cent of local businesses indicated the pandemic has had a negative impact on their business (source: Business Recovery Survey, Appendix 3)

MORE INFORMATION

To learn more, visit whitby.ca/shoplocal.

For more information on how the Town is supporting local businesses during the pandemic, visit whitby.ca/businessresources.