The Post and Courier's Brian Hicks on why you should shop locally:
Local businesses treat the community right. They help local charities, take care of their regulars.

Perhaps the best thing about shopping local, however, is this: When you buy fishing gear or wading boots from a local business, that money stays here in the Lowcountry.

I largely agree with him. And Lowcountry Local First's "Give Local Holiday Bazaar" is today, and a great place to start your journey into local shopping.