The Portage and District Chamber of Commerce is hoping you will support local as many businesses launch Boxing Day and Boxing Week sales. 

Interim president Guy Moffat says it's been a tough time for our local business owners.

"This is one of the biggest times of the year for our local businesses to make their living," says Moffat. "Our local businesses have had it a little bit tough over the last couple of years between COVID, people moving to some online shopping because that's what we had to do during the pandemic, and unfortunately, not everyone has moved back to buying local."

He adds, construction has been a problem for some business owners on Saskatchewan Avenue as the city works on long-term solutions for the community. He acknowledges, unfortunately, it does create short-term problems.

Moffat says it's great to support local businesses for a variety of reasons, not just because we are helping out our friends and neighbours.

"When we shop locally, when we shop in the stores in Portage, they need to pay their bills but, after that, they reinvest back into their business. The more that we shop locally, the more that our businesses can invest in new products, different product lines, giving us more selection than we had before," says Moffat. "I'm not sure how many local business owners you know, but none of them are driving around in Lamborghinis, so it's not like they're getting rich off of us."

Moffat wants to see job opportunities for people in the community and that can only happen if business is going well. He thanks everyone who is supporting local and helping keep our Portage stores doors open.

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