Ariel Roblin: Shop local to support Northern California businesses this holiday season

With Thanksgiving now behind us and the holidays right around the corner, the shopping season has begun. This past weekend was Small Business Saturday, a nationwide push to support small shop owners in our local communities. So many small businesses are still trying to catch up from the pandemic shutdowns, supply shortages, increased costs, staffing issues – and not to mention, being bookended between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The surge of online shopping and big deals by major retailers makes it even more difficult for local businesses to stay afloat. As we get into the thick of the holiday season, support the store down the street and let them know you believe in them and their hard work is worth it.