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How To Safely Shop Local This Holiday Season

Many Iowa retailers are allowing people to shop in their stores by scheduling an appointment. For most independent retailers, the holiday season makes up a large portion of their total revenue for the year.
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Many Iowa retailers are allowing people to shop in their stores by scheduling an appointment. For many independent retailers, the holiday season makes up a large portion of their total revenue for the year.

For many of Iowa's independent retailers, this holiday season could be a make or break moment. Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe speaks with several retailers from around the state to learn how they're creating a safe shopping experience.

There are a couple major gift giving holidays coming up in the next few weeks. And as we look for safe ways to shop as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it's a great time to consider supporting local businesses and artists who may depend on the holiday season for a significant portion of their income.

This hour, we’re going to learn how small businesses in Iowa are adapting to the pandemic, and how we can safely shop local, 2020 style.

Learn about about the Iowa Retail Initiative here.Or, learn how to shop and sell products using Shop Iowa by clicking here.

Guests:

  • Lisa Bates, community development specialist at Iowa State University Extension and head of the Iowa Retail Initiative
  • Staci Hupp Ballard, communications director, Iowa Economic Development Authority
  • Kristin Roach, owner, Little Woods Herbal in Ames
  • Dereka Williams, co-owner, Mindset Nutrition in Dubuque
Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa
Rick Brewer was a producer for IPR's Talk of Iowa and River to River