Raleigh mayor urges people to shop local

In an effort to help local independent businesses thrive, Mayor Charles Meeker declared this week “Independent’s Week.”

Posted 2:57 a.m. Jul 3, 2009 — Updated 3:24 a.m. Jul 3, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — In an effort to help local independent businesses thrive, Mayor Charles Meeker declared this week “Independent’s Week.”

“All of those businesses you know and love, you need to shop with them today if you want them to be here tomorrow,” Meeker said.

Meeker said local businesses create much needed jobs. In the North Hills shopping center alone, Meeker said 60 local stores keep 2,000 people employed.

Jennifer Huggard, owner of Tyler House located at 4421 Six Forks Road in the North Hills shopping center, hopes people are listening to the mayor’s message. Tyler House has been open for more than 40 years, but Huggard says this year, so far, has been the toughest.

“It has been a challenge,” Huggard said.

In this economy, Huggard said she is saving where she can and is quicker to offer deals to customers.

Huggard said it is more important now than ever to support local businesses, like hers, that put money earned back into the neighborhood.

“We have local accountants. We use local advertising people. We support local charities,” Huggard said.

Angela Krause, owner of the local children’s furnishings boutique Dilly Dally, said local merchants really know their customers. Dilly Dally is also located in North Hills.

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