Keeping Christmas local

The importance of shopping locally has been emphasized with increasing urgency in recent years. Events like Small Business Saturday and Plaid Friday have brought some much-needed attention to the importance of shopping local, which is even more crucial now as so many small businesses try to survive the pandemic.

Buying local has benefits that are beyond mere convenience. When you shop local, you support local business owners, which are your neighbors and friends; you get better service, with people who have knowledge and understand your personal needs; and it helps to make our community a better place to live. 

Small-scale, locally owned businesses create a community that is more prosperous, connected, and generally better off. Keeping business in our small towns, means a stronger tax base, more opportunity for employment on a local level and business owners that donate to our schools, community organizations and local events.

Local business gives a community its flavor. It is a uniqueness that is preserved as part of our community. Every shopping experience gives you a special kind of familiarity and makes it different than shopping anywhere else in the world.

McIntosh offers many options for buying your Christmas needs, including gifts locally. By shopping the variety offered in our Main Street stores, there is virtually something for everyone on your list. Unique, and sometimes one-of-a-kind gifts that make giving so special during the holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neil’s Quality Meats & More offers a lot of variety for the gift giver. There is, of course, traditional, and unique food fare, such as sausages and cheeses, as well as seasoned beef and pork roasts and chicken dishes ready to heat and eat. Neil’s also offers a special line of exclusive spice blends sure to offer new and exciting flavors to your dishes over the holidays and throughout the year. Gift boxes with a variety of specialty items are also available. Besides food, Neil’s also has many other gift items. There are the unique lamps, where there is a one-of-a-kind lamp for any decorating style, crocheted dish clothes, towels, and potholders, Christmas decorations as well as non-seasonal décor, bird feeder’s, kitchen utensils and household items.

Jered’s Grocery offers a wide array of your grocery needs, including pet supplies and cleaning supplies, fresh meats, and vegetables as well as general grocery. There is also gift baskets, a wide variety of specialty Christmas candy, fresh poinsettias, household items and small appliances, a good selection of gift wrapping supplies and gifts for that hard to buy person on your list, including a variety of Johnny’s seasonings and other unique sauces and spices for everyone’s tastebuds to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are looking to feed the birds, or want to gift your favorite bird watcher some winter bird food, McIntosh Tri-Coop Elevator offers a variety of bird food including black stripe sunflower seeds for some window watching of the winter birds. There is also farm supplies, including winter gloves available.

Marial Harbor Body Wellness Center offers a huge variety of restorative and relaxation items for everyone. From books, including local author and owner, Alison Opdahl’s selection, essential oils and jewelry. Gifting time in the Biocharger (The BioCharger is a hybrid subtle energy revitalization platform. The transmitted energy stimulates and invigorates the entire body to optimize and improve potential health, wellness, and athletic performance) room is a welcome holiday option for those who are stressed or feeling a bit under the weather, as there are many “recipes’ available to keep everyone’s health on track.

The Red Poppy in McIntosh is literally stuffed full of surprises and gifts for just about everyone on your list. There are books, home décor items galore, sweatshirts, toys, candles, kitchen items, and even a sweet treat or two. Much of what is found at The Red Poppy is regionally inspired and often reminiscent of the beauty and uniqueness of the area where we live. If you are looking for something special to our hometown way of life, take a look here to find it.

Howard Soap Company offers high quality, handmade in small batches items that open the senses and calm the hectic world that is all around us. There are smells of the season as well as fragrances that can carry you throughout the year. From candles, to self-care items such as lotions and soaps, from young to old or for a man or woman, there are many possibilities to try and gift. Not only are there amazing items hand made by Katherine, the owner of the shop, but specialty purses and Christmas t-shirts as well as resin coated stainless steel tumblers made by local artist, Kathy Finseth.

Minnesota Rust has become a beacon of our community through owner, Andrea Stordahls’ hard work and her driving force for the revitalization of McIntosh Main Street. Her store reflects this determination in the awesome displays of old and new that encompass the past and present feel of her brand. When you walk in through the door, you will be greeted by much to see and explore. Minnesota Rust offers both vintage items as well as new decor and jewelry and some whimsical finds for the season.

The Ginger Junker is the newest addition to our McIntosh Main Street and the store is a great find for those looking for just about anything. Inside the doors of the Ginger Junker is an array of vintage items from tools, ammunition boxes, depression glass, collector trucks and signs, even vintage buttons from area events and festivals of yesteryear. You can find books, games, and movies of every genre. There is new, local art as well as vintage art work, handmade cards, headbands, and crocheted potholders.

Northern Prairie Aromatherapy is located inside of The Ginger Junker and offers Essential oils, carrier oils, custom blending, mask spray, diffusers, aroma kits, syrup kits, teas all with the expertise of certified aromatherapist Karen Norland to assist you with your questions and needs.

Hair and beauty supplies, including gift certificates for hair styling can be from The Beauty Room or Krissy’s Hair Affair. At Krissy’s, you can also purchase someone a membership to the Fitness Club.

Another great option is an oil change or new tires that can be purchased or credited to an account at Dan’s Standard, Rick’s Repair or McIntosh Auto and Farm Repair.

Whether you are shopping for gifts or looking to spend your money locally, retail options are not the only way. You can visit KingTown Mutual Insurance, Crag Espeseth, Inc., FarmChek Services, Farm Bureau, North Country Lumber, Jason & Chad’s Plumbing & Heating, Sand Hill Plumbing & Heating, Hedlund Backhoe, The Clubhouse Childcare Center, Red Lake County Coop Cenex, Ron’s Barber and First National Bank and Agency.

If you are considering a donation this Christmas, please consider donating to the Resident Funds at McIntosh Senior Living and Poplar Meadows Senior Living.

Keeping your money where your heart lives and supporting an economy of friends, neighbors and community members helps build a community that thrives.