Shopping local in RVC

Shoppers kicked off the holiday season last weekend by taking advantage of Black Friday discounts, free parking and promotional Small Business Saturday deals.

Patrons milled about Rockville Centre’s downtown area toting their bags of purchases.

But they weren’t from big-chain stores. Instead, they came from local shops and small businesses in the area.

“It’s very important to shop local,” said Jean Rose while hauling a pair of large Matty’s Toy Stop bags with her two daughters. “If it wasn’t for Main Street, there wouldn’t be a Wall Street.”

She listed all of the local shops she visited during the day, including Matty’s, Janine’s, Irish Import, Art Flower & Gift Shoppe, and 5 Pennies Creamery.

Melissa Gelin tried on some gloves at the Lucky Finds Boutique on N. Park Ave.

“They always have cool finds, versus going to the mall where you only find more common things,” she said.

Gelin was buying for herself as well as for friends.

“It’s a good feeling to support the community,” she said.

The store owners were especially happy with the turnout.

“Rockville Centre was definitely bustling today,” said Lucky Finds owner, Shannon McComb on Small Business Saturday. She appreciated the promotion “It really brings out our loyal customers.”

McComb thinks shopping local is good for both the shoppers and the businesses.

“It brings activity to the village,” she said. But it also “lets people know about the nearby shops and eateries.”

Rose loaded up the back of her van with the bags of gifts. She said when people shop local, it’s like “helping out your neighbor.”

Steve Mangiaracina picked up a new book by Judd Apatow at the Turn of the Corkscrew bookshop. He said shopping local was “more important now than ever.”

“Corporations don’t really care about locals,” he continued. “This bookstore is a social center.”