Jenni Viken, a business broker for Meritus Group, works primarily with small businesses in Duluth, helping people to buy and sell businesses.

Her job has made clear the importance of supporting small businesses: “Small businesses contribute to not only the character of our town- but also to keep our dollars here local.”

It’s even of a matter of investing in our own community, according to Viken who also says, “Small business and shopping locally is needed for them to survive.”

And with the holidays approaching comes a chance to explore new shops in you community.

Viken says, “Staying local, I think you’ll find the gifts you are going to get are more meaningful, more creative, and more unique.”