Shop Local

During the holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching. Now is the perfect time of year to stroll through Downtown Acton and Downtown Georgetown as they are both hosting holiday events which provide great opportunities to finish off your Christmas shopping!

Many of our smaller towns and hamlets are home to unique and eclectic shopping experiences. From cafes, to book stores, to antiques, you will find something for everyone on your list. Be sure to stop by the Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre in Glen Williams and the Andrews' Winery (formerly Scotch Block Winery) for some great gift ideas.

Looking to pick up some items from well-known retailers? Georgetown Marketplace is 'your spot' to enjoy over 60 stores and services covering everything from women's fashions, to electronics, to a diverse food court! The Georgetown Marketplace has just recently expanded to offer even more unique shopping and dining experiences!

Toronto Premium Outlets is your place to go if you are looking for upscale designer fashions and lifestyle apparel, shoes, accessories/jewellery, cosmetics, luggage and fine leather goods, items for the home and more. Toronto Premium Outlets offers exceptional holiday savings and extended shopping hours through December 24th. See their website for full details as their open hours while extended, vary. (Closed December 25. Open December 26 from 6am to 11pm.)

Newsletter to merchants

Purpose of the Campaign

To educate our residents to try local businesses first! To date the Shop Local Team has circulated our message in the local press, on websites, by emails and other printed materials. 

Get Involved and help us encourage Halton Hills' residents to "Shop Smart...Shop Halton Hills".  Help us make shopping in Halton Hills rewarding!

Shop Local Ideas for Promotion

We want your participation, so here are a number of ideas for you: 

• discounts for local consumers
• cooperative advertising with other businesses in the same area
• family referrals
• referrals to complimentary merchants eg. Flower store with jewellery store, restaurant with theatre, car dealer with car wash
• special local features
• customer testimonials

Other ideas

• Shop Local Blog
  • Have residents speak openly about their shopping habits.
• Eat Local Challenge
  • Spend two weeks eating locally (and to compare the taste and price of locally grown food to produce grown over 1,500 miles away).
• Shift  to "Local First" Gear
  • Even modest changes in our spending choices can have a big impact on our local economies. If everyone in the Town of Halton Hills shifted just 10% of their spending that they make outside of the community it would generate new economic activity for the town and new jobs.  One community actually had an on-line pledge sheet.
• Loyalty Discounts
  • Shoppers receive a discount for shopping regularly at independent shops can provide a good incentive for people to change their shopping habits.
• Promotion Day and/or Week
  • Focus on highlighting the special services provided by local shops for example it could involve tastings of special locally made products. Conduct surveys on your customer's shopping habits - have draws and incentives for them to participate.
• Do the math with your gas
  • Campaign that focuses on the cost of gas and time just to get something at slightly lesser prices.  Awareness about putting the total cost of transportation in with the cost of the item(s) - keep the gas cost down by shopping locally.

Letter from the Mayor

Dear Sir or Madam,

As Mayor I am proud to be able to support our local businesses through our Shop Local – Shop Halton Hills campaign and encourage residents to try our local businesses first.

Under the encouragement of the Town we have brought together organizations throughout our community with one common goal: keep our consumers in Halton Hills. Personally I think this is such an important project that I am also an active member of the committee. The committee members come from the Acton and Georgetown BIAs, Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown Marketplace, the Williams Mill, the New Tanner, The Georgetown Independent Free Press and are supported by our Economic Development section.

- Mayor Rick Bonnette