Go Local Bazaar encouraged support of local economy
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Tiffany Herron, above, was one of several area vendors on hand for the first-ever Go Local Bazaar Saturday. The event encouraged residents to shop locally this year, supporting local artists and area businesses. Herron stands with a selection of 100% cotton, USA-made canvas bags featuring the original artwork of her husband, Whitley County resident Jay Herron.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
As a means of encouraging Whitley County citizens to select locally-made gifts and to support local businesses, the first-annual Go Local Bazaar at Faith Christian Academy brought in quite a crowd of hurried shoppers Saturday.
Shoppers filled their bags with jewelry made by Joyce Linder of Larwill, Kelley Sheiss of Etna-Troy Township, Cindy Baker of Columbia City and Valerie Cooper of Churubusco. Robert Knorr of Ormas offered handcrafted birdfeeders, bat houses and bird houses of all kinds. Shannon Ramsey delighted buyers with her delicious homemade caramels and chocolates. Stephanie Need's handmade marble coasters will be found in quite a few Christmas stockings. Additionally, the denim handbags, chenille scarves, applique sweatshirts and bowling pin snowmen created by Darlene Crawford were popular items as well. Denna Lukas offered her handmade soy candles and Tiffany Herron's artfully designed canvas shopping bags were a hit.
"I always think it is important to shop locally," Herron said, "to support our economy."
"It makes us as a community stronger," she added. In talking with other vendors present, Herron heard others found the message of supporting the local economy as an important reason they chose to participate in the event.
Herron is not only interested in encouraging the community to shop locally, but to bring along their own shopping bags as well.
"Our family is trying to encourage people to consume less," she said. One way of doing that, Herron said, is to bring along your own shopping bags instead of using the plastic film ones offered in the stores -- using canvas ones like she makes or even reusing ones you've already brought home.
"We do think recycling is important," Herron said, "but so is reducing and reusing."
With a little over two weeks left until Christmas, there are ample opportunities to shop and support local businesses in Whitley County -- finding everything from unique gifts, gift certificates to local restaurants, for a variety of useful services and many more options you can feel very warm about this holiday season.