Local Christmas shopping helps our community

'Tis the season for shopping and finding Christmas gifts for friends and family.

We hope you have started your list this year, but if not there's still time to check out many local businesses with great deals.

The Southeast Missourian ran a special section on local businesses and organizations that look forward to your business this month. This is a way to spotlight some of the local merchants that sell unique items. Even better, these are a few of the people who reinvest in the local economy.

Whether you find items at the big stores or small ones, we encourage you to make your purchases close to home. The businesses in this community are the ones who reinvest dollars, hire workers and support local initiatives. But it's more than supporting the local economy. Check out the stores in the area and you'll find whatever your looking for. The selection is impressive.

We look forward to seeing you out and about.

Merry Christmas!