Business Watch: Remember to Shop Local as holidays approach

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. No. Wait. Thanksgiving. What in the world was with the snow on Halloween? I’m easily confused this time of year, given how many stores have multiple holiday items filling their aisles.

I’ve noticed more national chains are stepping up to say they won’t be open on Thanksgiving this year. I applaud that decision and wonder how many others will change those policies in the coming weeks. Let’s save the insanity for Black Friday.

Remember to shop local during the holidays. Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25. GO Topeka is putting together a listing of small business deals being offered by local businesses. If you own a business and want to participate, go to http://ift.tt/2y4p5Q3 -- but do so by Monday, as time is running out to be included.

Buying local supports people who live in the Topeka community. A Canadian study found that for every $1 million in sales, independent retail stores generate $450,000 in local economic activity, compared to $170,000 for chains.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers tips to business owners taking advantage of Small Business Saturday, including free marketing materials. Just Google “SBA Small Business Saturday.”

Sole Reason holding new sneaker drive

In the spirit of the holidays, Sole Reason is collecting new sneakers through Nov. 23 in partnership with Boys &Girls Clubs of Topeka. The organization helps to identify children in local schools who need new shoes.

The sneaker drive has grown over the years, said Jerry Hudgins, Sole Reason’s founder, and he’s hopeful this year’s donations will outdo the 250 pair collected in 2016.

“We have so many more sponsorships,” he said, adding that local unions and numerous organizations have reached out to make sure children have shoes. The organization previously collected gently used shoes but with all the additional support, they only take new sneakers now.

Drop off sites for shoes are at Lyndon State Bank, 817 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, and Vanderbilt’s in Topeka, 3021 S.W. Topeka Blvd. Each sneaker donation or $20 cash donation will receive a raffle ticket and be put in a drawing to win Chiefs/Raiders endzone tickets for the Dec. 10 game.

For more information about the sneaker drive, contact Hudgins at (785) 338-2965 or email sole_reason@yahoo.com.

Check out the local economy

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce is holding its first economic outlook conference on Nov. 14.

Presented by U.S. Bank, the conference will explore national, regional and local economic issues.

“We hope to further educate our community members about the economic outlook for Topeka in relation to the nation as well as the outlook for some of our major industries. Awareness about trends and what to expect is helpful as we move forward together as a community,” said Molly Howey, senior vice president of economic development for GO Topeka.

The conference is $40 and will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Washburn University’s Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, 1700 S.W. College Ave. To register, visit the chamber website, http://ift.tt/2y4p4LZ, and click on “Events.”

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