Lynbrook Chamber Joins NCCC in Urging Nassau Residents to Shop Locally for the Holidays

The Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce (NCCC) is renewing its call to county residents, urging them to do their holiday shopping at neighborhood businesses, rather than on the Internet or at big-box stores.

Why?

"Small businesses employ our neighbors and friends, and they help sponsor little league teams, soccer teams or when a neighbor is in need," said NCCC President E. Christopher Murray, who announced the shop locally campaign at a Nov. 30 press conference alongside Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. "The money you spend with local businesses stays right in your community."

The NCCC is marketing the slogan "It Starts Here … Buy Locally" for the second year in a row. The message is clear: money spent in the community stays in the community, which in turn will help local businesses and residents alike. On the flip side, money spent at a big-box store results in less money going back to the community, while buying online brings no money in.

And with more and more big-box retailers offering the same deals online as one would get inside the stores, many people are taking advantage. But despite the obvious convenience for residents — avoiding long lines and trying to find a parking spot — some local business owners are concerned about the new shopping trend.

"When I saw in the newspaper that over a billion dollars was spent on Cyber Monday, it scares me, it really scares me," said Bill Gaylor, owner of on Atlantic Avenue and president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce. "Because all of that money is leaving the community, going to organizations that have no infrastructure, don't pay school taxes and don't hire anyone locally. That's the future of retail, and it's scary."

Gaylor explained that many neighborhood businesses like his are not members of the community simply because they have a Lynbrook address — many business owners are residents themselves, they organize community events, and help sponsor a variety of village organizations throughout the year. And with so many village businesses already struggling to stay afloat with the sluggish economy, less foot traffic in Lynbrook's downtown during the holidays hurts the local business community even more.

For his part, Gaylor said he has always been willing to match any legitimate price of a competitor. It's part of the personal attention and respect a customer will receive when shopping locally, he said. But it's not easy for his business, nor is it for any local storeowner feeling threatened by shoppers buying online.

"My business is healthy — but it's not growing," Gaylor acknowledged. "We just wanna hang in there."

For ideas on where to shop locally, check out our .