Shop local this holiday season

By Courtney Bachar/The Oshawa Express/LJI Reporter

As Oshawa and the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, Oshawa Councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri is urging residents to support local businesses this holiday season through its Oshawa Loves Local campaign.

The Mayor’s Economic Recovery Task Force, along with the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is reminding residents that everyone has a role to play to stop the spread, keep the community safe and local businesses open.

Marimpietri, chair of the task force, says support is needed now more than ever as regions return to a more restricted environment.

“We’re doing our best through the mayor’s task force, with the support of council, staff and industry leaders, to be able to facilitate as best we can on local businesses,” he says.

The campaign highlights smaller community-owned and family-led businesses, which make up the majority of 70,000-plus jobs across the city.

“I think it would be really something for each of us to go back and take a look at local businesses in our wards, that they have a story that we want to be told, or need the support,” he continues, noting the Oshawa Loves Local campaign is the perfect avenue for local businesses to gain some free exposure.

As part of the campaign, community members are encouraged to support local and buy local whenever possible.

Community members can support local by ordering from local businesses online as many small businesses have adapted their operations during the pandemic to offer online ordering with curbside pickup or home delivery.

Residents can also consider purchasing gift certificates now to be used later, ordering takeout from a local restaurant and dining-out at home, and showing support on social media by liking and sharing messages. The hashtag #OshawaLovesLocal can be used to tag local businesses.

“These are unprecedented times for everyone, especially local businesses working hard to pivot and adapt to the current reality, all the while continuing to service the greater Oshawa area,” says Marimpietri. “It’s more important than ever to shop locally to help sustain the small businesses within our community and the families their employment supports.”

Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter says the next six weeks are crucial to helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and keeping the local economy running.

“This time is calling on us to buy local when you can and to commit to helping stop the spread in our community,” he says. “Please remember to maintain distancing, mask up and wash your hands frequently.”