As the Christmas shopping season gets into full swing, Ottawa business owners are asking people to look right here in Downtown Ottawa for their Christmas gifts. Small business looks for a big boost in sales this time of year. Mary Raley formerly of Maggies Popcorn and Nuts in Ottawa says you really don’t have to leave Ottawa to get nearly anything you want.

For every dollar you spend in locally owned businesses, $0.67 stays in the community. If you spend it in a national or regional chain store, only $0.30 stays in the community, and if you spend that dollar online, well, the community sees very little, if any. Shop small, shop local this Christmas season, and year round.