Original Source: Article in Marion Today- Marion, IA- November 2018 by Robyn Ireland, Correspondent
Dislike shopping, perhaps especially this time of year? Or maybe crowds aren’t your favorite thing? Yet you still want to support local businesses right here in Marino? The Marion Chamber of Commerce has the perfect solution: the Shop Where I Live website at https://marion.shopwhereilive.com.
Okay, I’ll admit it. I don’t like shopping. I never have. I also don’t like the crowds. And, honestly, I’m not even that wild about the holiday season. Put all of that together, and it sounds like my version of… well, not fun. In years past, I’ve done most, if not all, of my shopping on-line, usually through amazon.com. Because really: who doesn’t like delivery right to one’s front door and free, two-day shipping if one is an Amazon Prim member? But I also love this community and the city I live in.
That’s where the Marion Chamber of Commerce has made it easy! There is a search feature that allows for finding products or services right no the first page. And it isn’t just for the holidays. It’s a 24/7, year-round platform from which to purchase about anything without going from store to store on foot, searching social media pages, and/or websites, or stumping around at farmers’ markets and craft fairs. As The Chamber states: Our Mission: To help small business owners sell together online, making it so easy for their community to shop local first, they won’t look anywhere else. Our Values: We value entrepreneurship, We value local businesses, We value putting $ back into our own communities.”
There’s a place to set up “My account” and several categories that can be searched, from Events (including arts & crafts classes) to Gift Cards, Products (including antiques and collectibles) to health and beauty items. Services include businesses (website design), home (interior decorating), and personal services (personal shopping). To help those of us who have troubling deciding what to give as gifts or the hart-to-buy-for person in one’s life, every week there is an “Editor’s Picks.” This week features items from Lillian’s of Marion, Treasure Chest Collectibles, DKW Gallery, Di Moda Boutique, Be Inspired, and SCOUT of Marion. Under “Editors’s Picks Services” are what Be Inspired, Rainbow WP, The Daisy Marion, and DKW Gallery have to offer.
Another feature of the website is “View Local Businesses” and a “Directory”. These provide the names of the business, an address, photo, and descriptions of their goods or services so the shops are easier to find.
If one has a question, The Marion Chamber is happy to help and can be reached on their “Contact” page, or if you want to contact the Shop Where I Live Team, please call 833-278-2742 or email them at info@shopwhereilive.com.
