TONASKET – Holiday shopping locally is available for those interested in buying local.

With the help of the Greater Tonasket Community Association’s Buy Local campaign in conjunction with the Tonasket Chamber of Commerce, more businesses than ever are offering deals and specials for the holidays.

“I think a main incentive of buying locally is that we can save shoppers a drive to Omak,” Keith Barnett of Highlandia Jewelers said. “I think shoppers like not having to leave town to shop.”

Barnett said his shop offers something for everyone with its eclectic mix.

Kelly Podkranic at Wild Rose said she is offering 25 percent off on jar candles, 50 percent off on selected silks and 20 percent off on tropical house plants throughout the holiday season. She is also selling Salt Water Taffy for $3.99 per pound.

“The main incentive for shoppers, I think, is to buy from the people who love to serve them,” she said. “I love serving my customers. I think I can give them better service than what they’ll get outside of town. Also, to shop local is to help the small businesses stay open; to keep our small town going.”

Other businesses offering gift items and holiday sales are the antique stores around town, of which there are eight in Tonasket, Lee Frank Mercantile and Roy’s Pharmacy.

One antique shop, Hidden Treasures, is selling all Christmas ornaments, cards and calendars for 20 percent off.

“I’ve been very happy with the local shoppers this season,” Norma Jean Hart, the owner of Hidden Treasures, said.

Debbie Panther, owner of The Old Creamery, said her business not only has holiday sales going on, but that if anyone comes in any day of the year, the business has specials going on and The Old Creamery also does lay-away.

Many businesses taking part in the GTCA’s Buy Local campaign state in their ads that if their ad is brought into their business, an additional deal will be given to the shopper.

The Buy Local ads, found at the back of recent issues of the Gazette-Tribune, offer deals for more than just the holidays. Every business from carpet cleaning to construction to tires and auto parts as well as restaurants is represented in the campaign. In Tonasket the chamber and GTCA pay for half the cost of the local Tonasket ads. Oroville businesses have also begun participating in the Buy Local ad campaign with the Oroville Chamber of Commerce picking up half the cost of each Oroville businesses’ ad.