Tempting as it may be to shop in your PJs, few experiences match the joy of discovering that perfect, one-of-a-kind gift It’s like finding a long-lost treasure and experiencing Taos as a local. Taos County Chamber of Commerce, hopes you find holiday joy in the little things like shopping local!
In fulfilling the Chamber’s mission to cultivate a thriving regional economy, strength- en member organizations and enhance the community’s quality of life, the Chamber is supporting a number of “shop local” initiatives encouraging residents to “shop and buy locally first.
“Shop local, eat local, enjoy local, be local,” Lindsey Pfaff Bain said. “Our businesses and nonprofits need our support now more than ever.”
Shop Taos First
“The Taos County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Taos News in the Shop Taos First, campaign,” Pfaff Bain said. “The campaign helps bring awareness to shopping locally in Taos County and Northern New Mexico.”
The Chamber, with the support of its members, is once again offering a Shop Taos First Coupon Book featuring local businesses and local nonprofits. For 2025, coupons will be made available online on taoschamber.com. The current 2024 coupon books are not available due to popular demand. Check out LOCAL online coupons and LOCAL online hot deals on taoschamber.com, click hot deals!
Our website at taoschamber.com provides a Gift Guide, Market Space and Hot Deals along with resources for local businesses to market “shop local” programs:
- Plaid Friday, November 29, is a nation-wide effort to promote the Shop Indie Local Cam- paign spearheaded by the national small business non-profit AMIBA. The campaign encourages people to wear plaid when they go out to shop. Even shopping with corporate businesses in person is better than spending those dollars with an online company on “Black Friday.” Visit amiba.net/plaid-Friday for more information.
- New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday, Saturday, November 30; The state suspends collection of gross receipts tax on sales of qualifying items at certain small business.
- American Express’ Small Business Saturday, also on Saturday, November 30 is a tax-free shopping day that allows small businesses to give a big benefit to their customers. This year American Express is donating $1 for every qualifying purchase to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to support recovery efforts for small businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Visit americanexpress.com/us/merchant/shop-small/small-business-Saturday for more information.
- Artists Sunday, Sunday, December 1, is a nationwide art-shopping event includes pro- fessional artists, non-profit art organizations, local communities, chambers of commerce, and thousands of individual artists. Visit amiba.net/artists-Sunday for more information.
- Giving Tuesday, December 3, which kicks off the charitable season, focuses on holiday and end-of-year giving. This global movement was created to inspire people to give and celebrate generosity. You can participate in this endeavor as part of your Shop Indie Local holiday campaign. Visit amiba.net/giving-Tuesday for more information.
The gift that keeps on giving
In addition to the joys of finding a treasure in an individually curated local shop, remember these key take-aways:
Local shopping spurs economic development: Entrepreneurs get inspired to start local businesses, which leads to more jobs and more revenue that stays local.
When you shop local, you are supporting your neighbors and keeping the money you spend local. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, about $68 stays in the local economy.
“Remember to shop and buy locally, not just during the holiday season but all year round!” Pfaff Bain said.
Incorporated in 1962, Taos County Cham- ber of Commerce exists solely to advance our area’s business, agriculture, recreation, retail, trade, technical, tourism, arts and cultural, nonprofits, manufacturing, food/ restaurants, hospitality, health care, green economic development, and commercial sectors through entrepreneurial and economic growth.
A 501(c)6 corporation, Chamber funding comes from memberships, events, and sponsorships. For a referral or information on member businesses, please contact our office at (575) 751-8800.
TAOS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1139 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos
575-751-8800
