Local-owned businesses have seen an increase in sales from this time compared to last year

It is the countdown to Christmas, now just two days away, many are still shopping for the perfect presents. When it comes to finding gifts, lots of people have decided to shop locally, seeing as there’s been a rise within the last two years.

Locally owned Duluth Studio Market opened last July during the Covid-19 pandemic. They did not know what would be good selling items at that time, but most of the items they sold were locally handmade or fair-trade items.

“Well, last year was interesting for us because we had only been open for six months, so we are a Covid baby booming business. So we had no idea what was selling well in comparison to anything. Duluth loves local, and so definitely our best-selling items were local last year," said owner Stacey LaCoursiere.

Duluth Studio Market has seen an increase in its profit margin compared to this time last year.

"Compared to 2020, we have seen approximately a two and a half increase in business from last year is amazing. We have seen a lot of people that want to shop local, they want to support local but there also looking for just that unique item that they can not find elsewhere outside of local stores," says LaCoursiere.

The Duluth Studio Market will be closed tomorrow until January 11th for the holidays. They will be open for online shopping and order pick-ups next Tuesday through Friday.