Think local, spend local: The ripple effect of your money

This holiday season, a little extra thought about where you shop can go a long way. Holiday shopping has never been more convenient. With a few clicks, you can cross five gifts off your list without ever leaving the couch. And while it s hard to argue with convenience, there s something special about finding the perfect gift a little closer to home. Santa Cruz County is full of independent shops, family-owned restaurants, and local artists offering things you won t always find in a search result. With Small Business Saturday coming up on November 28, it s the perfect time to explore what our community has to offer. But there s more to shopping locally than finding a great gift. Your dollars have a life beyond the checkout counter Think about your favorite neighborhood coffee shop. Your morning latte helps support the employees behind the counter, the owner keeping the doors open, and potentially other local businesses providing ingredients and supplies. And that sa