Shop ‘til you drop in Fallon

The Thanksgiving weekend focuses on the tradition of families assembling to enjoy each other’s company, a game of football and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

In what has revolved into more of a family day, Thanksgiving gives many individuals an opportunity to look back and then look forward.

The number of businesses open in Churchill County on Thanksgiving is few, however. The Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority, the Fallon Chamber of Commerce, Churchill Economic Development Authority and the Lahontan Valley News are encouraging our residents to spend their money in the county this year.

One factor we like to point out is that spending in the county during the holidays also has an added benefit. Taxable sales, which is a major funding source for the county and city, provides for services such as law enforcement and the fire department, the senior citizen center, parks and other government-related functions.

According to industry standards and the Churchill County Comptroller, every dollar spent within Churchill County tends to move from one hand to another, thus going through an exchange of six or seven hands or businesses.

Although Reno or Carson City lures residents with good deals, those same deals can also be found locally.

One business owner said customers from Reno have visited her store, saying they found a better assortment of gift ideas and jewelry here than in our big, but informal neighbor next to the Sierra.

In surveying many businesses about Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, two prominent national shopping days to promote holiday sales, the LVN discovered many businesses are prepared to open early Friday morning for Black Friday deals and early Saturday morning for local sales.

For those who insist on leaving Fallon for Reno, stop by our local businesses first and see what great deals are available here first. Shop Reno .. if you must ... but on your return, stop and visit our businesses again and have your Live Local Fallon passport book stamped.

One businesswoman suggested there is no need to leave town on Saturday.

As a result of her idea, local residents and perhaps those from the outlying areas such as Hawthorne, Yerington, Lovelock and Fernley can spend Saturday in Fallon, beginning first with shopping and later having a nice lunch or dinner at one of our fine restaurants followed by watching a movie either at Fox Peak Cinema or Fallon Theatres.

Editorials written by the Editorial Board appear on Wednesdays. This editorial originally appeared in 2015 to encourage residents to shop Fallon first this Thanksgiving weekend.