The Peace Arch News Shop Local campaign is being supported by these local community partners.
When you choose to buy a Christmas gift from a local retailer, you’re doing far more than just checking an item off your holiday to-do list.
You’re helping to boost the local economy, give back to local charities and organizations, and build community connections – just for a start.
Over the next eight weeks, Peace Arch News will present a special Shop Local series dedicated to exactly that: taking the time this holiday season to support your local businesses.
It’s a message that’s near and dear to our hearts here at your local community newspaper.
“It’s important to us to keep local news as accessible as possible,” said Julie MacLellan, Peace Arch News editor and Surrey area bureau chief for Black Press Media/Carpenter Media Group. “As journalists, there’s no greater satisfaction than knowing that we can make a difference to the lives of people in our community – and we are grateful to all the folks who help us to do that.”
Local businesses are a key part of that mission.
“We have a deep appreciation for the importance of our local business community,” added Ritika Sharma, general manager of Peace Arch News. “It’s because of the support of local business owners here in White Rock and South Surrey that we are able to do what we do: Bring you the latest news about the happenings in your community, for free.”
Peace Arch News provides local news content without cost to readers – you don’t need to pay to find out the goings-on at city hall, or to read about your child’s sports team’s successes, or to get a round-up of the local arts and entertainment happenings.
“That’s where advertisers come in: we need their support to continue to employ all the people to make sure your local news gets delivered to you online every day, and in print to your doorstep on Thursdays,” Sharma said.
Local business Georgian Square Dental has come on board as the Shop Local campaign’s title sponsor, while other community partners include Red Rose Restaurant, José & Co. Custom Jewellers, Ardour Wellness and Ernie Klassen, MP (South Surrey-White Rock), who are all joining as presenting sponsors.
Sharma encourages everyone in the community to support local businesses and spend their shopping dollars locally. When residents choose to shop local, they’re doing more than just buying a product or service – they’re investing in the future of their own community.
Local businesses are the ones who support kids’ sports teams, school events and charitable organizations.
They’re the ones who employ local workers, including a huge number of young people whose first job opportunities have come at the hands of independent business owners who care about their community.
And all the people work in those businesses – owners, managers, cashiers, servers, baristas and so many more – are the familiar faces whose cheerful and welcoming presence helps to make the Peninsula the place we call home.
“When you spend your money locally, you contribute to your local economy,” said Joslyn Young, CEO of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade. “When your local economy is thriving, all aspects of the community thrive, including all of the social elements of a community that makes it the kind of place where you want to live, work and play.”
So please, take a moment this holiday season as you head out to do your shopping or enjoy some pre-Christmas entertainment, and consider all the ways you can support the local business community while you’re doing so.
Over the next eight weeks, we’ll offer up a host of ideas – from a closer look at the economic impact of shopping local, to where to find the one-of-a-kind gifts, nights out, kids’ activities and festive flavours that make the season bright.
Our hope is that by the time we arrive at Christmas, we’ll all have gained some valuable ideas about how to support our local business community, not just at the holiday season but all year long – in 2026 and beyond.
