This holiday season, the question of whether Minnesotans shop local may determine the survival of many small Minnesota businesses.
Small businesses have borne the economic brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, with revenue streams dried up and a shifting terrain of shutdown orders.
Every year your local newspaper puts out a call for Central MN residents to shop local during the holiday season. It’s a good practice that keeps one’s money circulating inside one’s community. Directing one’s spending money to local businesses is something each citizen can do to make the world a better place. The local economy plays a big role in everyone’s quality of life.
In a year where most have been gripped by a pandemic, it is vital that citizens seek out ways to spend locally and to donate to local charities. There are good, longtime, otherwise stable businesses in area cities that have been laid low during this recession. There are local artists and craftspeople who have missed out on nearly a year’s worth of markets and events where they can sell their work. The holiday season traditionally is when many of them make the money that helps sustain them through the rest of the year, and if residents want to keep them around for the future they’re going to need everyone’s support during this next month.
Following are local businesses who could use your patronage:
Purple Prairie – 800 Nelson Dr., Clearwater – 320-558-9010
Purple Prairie has a plethora of unique Christmas gifts that’ll satisfy those finicky and hard-to-shop-for family members! How about a charcoal clay face mask for just $9.99? Pick up a duo pack of aromatherapy spray for just $13.50! A Himalayan salt soak sounds delightful for just $11.99! Why not gift someone a Selenite crystal lamp for just $36 or pick up a Frankincense trio gift bag for $30!
Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill – 12287 Hancock St, Becker – 763-262-4000
Help out a neighborhood mainstay in Charlie’s by purchasing some great clothing items including beanies, hats, jackets, sweatshirts and more! Check their Facebook page for all the options!
One can also pick up gift certificates for great stocking stuffers. If one purchases a $50 gift certificate, one receives a bonus $10 (expires 12/31/20).
Profusion CBD Wellness – 441 Jefferson Blvd, Big Lake – 763-207-8489
Ease away your holiday stress with some pain cream (250mg) and some CBD oil (500 mg) for the package price of $85 (Reg. $115). How about some anxiety capsules (1200mg) and natural CBD oil (500mg) in a package price of $129 (Reg. $190)?
What about this package? Yummy CBD fruit gummies and a soothing bath bomb for a package price of $75 (Reg. $92). Don’t forget your furry ones! Pick up some CBD pet oil (500mg) and CBD pet treats for a package price of $80 (Reg. $105)..
The Rustic Room – 22932 168th St., Big Lake – 320-293-8731
Show your MN pride with many handmade gifts from Rustic Room Co.! Everything from customized MN handbags/totes (under $30) to trucker hats and winter hats for just $22! Gifts also include items for your home to add a special finishing touch and to show your style. Like a MN silhouette floating wine holder for $35. Or hand-painted wall decor for $18 on up.
Don’t forget cozy customized blankets for just $34 and all items can be personalized to make each gift a one-of-a-kind item! Options are endless, check out www.therusticroomco.com for gifting ideas and to order online or to place a special request/order.
Olde Main Eatery – 313 Jackson Ave NW, Elk River – 763-241-8113
Heading to a friend or family member’s house? Bring some homemade lefse in 10 sheets for just $15! Yummy homemade holiday caramels can be bought for just $4.99 (small bag), $8.99 (1/2-pound bag) or $16.99 (one-pound bag).
Pre-orders are necessary, call 763-286-4004 or message on Facebook for more information and to arrange pickup!
Gilman Coop Creamery – 10321 115th St NE, Gilman – 320-387-2770
Gilman Creamery has Traeger grills in prices ranging from $600 to $1,500 with a $200 accessory bundle for FREE! How about an air fryer (Nuwave Brio) for just $69.99! Gilman has hats and gloves for under $5 and apparel and Buffalo plaid clothing from $15 to $80!
Gilman also has cheese and meat boxes for $15 to $40!
McDonald’s Meats – 8601 Main Ave., Clear Lake – 320-743-2311
Mmmm, McDonald’s Meats just says Christmas, doesn’t it? Pick up (or have shipped) a wide selection of meat gift boxes for $12.49 up to $59.99. Or, build your own gift box!
How about a meat bundle for $129 to $299 to satisfy that carnivore in your family. Or, simply pick up a gift card to stuff their stockings in any amount of money!
Royal Renovations – 8523 1st Ave E, Clear Lake – 320-743-3440
Keep your home clean during the holidays or after with carpet cleaning certificates in denominations of $100 to $300! Get that upholstery cleaned too by picking up a gift certificate for $65 each.
Or, eliminate odors in your home with Vaportek, for just $5 to $50!
Eddie’s Auto Repair – 8633 Main Ave, Clear Lake – 320-743-9993
Stop by Eddie’s Auto Repair in Clear Lake and get those stocking stuffer gift certificates in any amount you please. They also work great for inserting inside your annual Christmas cards!
2 Brothers Offroad – 8633 Main Ave, Clear Lake – 320-743-9993
Like getting outdoors and playing in the dirt and mud? Stop by 2 Brothers to pick up a youth offroad helmet for just $80 or a youth dirt bike from $699 to $899.
2 Brothers Offroad also has a youth ATV from $799 to $1,199 for that special youngster on your list!
Clearwater Travel Plaza – 950 MN-24, Clearwater – 320-558-2261
Clearwater Travel Plaza has a huge variety of special Christmas gifts including the world’s softest socks for just $8.99 to $9.99! Lazy One pajamas and robes are available for just $23.99 to $39.99. How about picking up a Carhartt jacket for $95.99 to $149.99!
CW Travel Plaza also has Swan Creek candles for $6.99 to $16.99 as well as tons of hats, gloves and scarfs from $8.99 to $12.99!
Taco Gringo – 800 Nelson Dr #101, Clearwater – 320-558-4016
How about a little Mexican during the holidays?
Taco Gringo has tons of gift certificates where one can buy a $30 gift card for just $25 (special good thru 12/24/20). Don’t forget, Taco Gringo offers curbside and to-go food to satisfy those Mexican food cravings!
T&R Meats – 105 Pine St., Clearwater – 320-558-6390
T&R Meats has meat bundles that are sure to please just about any gift recipient you have on your list!
For a variety bundle - 5-lbs. hamburger, 5-lbs. pork chops, 4-lbs. chicken, 5-lbs. sirloin steak, 3-lbs. bacon and 3-lbs. breakfast links for just $120!
For a beef bundle - you get 5-lbs. sirloin steak, 10-lbs. of hamburger and 9-lbs. of a beef roast for just $135!
For a 1/4 beef bundle - you get 15-lbs. of sirloin steak, 14-lbs. of porterhouse and t-bones, 12-lbs. of beef roast and 30-lbs. of hamburger for just $475!
For a pork bundle - you get 10-lbs. of pork chops, 9-lbs. of pork roast or pork steak, 5-lbs. of bacon and 4-lbs. of breakfast links for just $95!
For a grill bundle - you get 3-lbs. of chicken breast, 3-lbs. of brats, 3-lbs. of boneless pork chops, 2-lbs. of wieners and 3-lbs. of hamburger patties (12 -1/4-lb. or 9 1/3-lb). for just $60!
T&R Meats offers curbside pickup!
Briggs Lake Nursery – 3928 105th Ave, Clear Lake – 320-743-4421
Though the nursery is closed for the winter season, gift certificates are available in many denominations! Call Paul at 612-281-7450 to place your order!
See you in the spring of 2021!
