Dont give up on your small businesses: Colorado Springs residents are shopping small for their last minute holiday gifts [Video]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Shoppers on the sidewalks of Colorado Springs say they shopped small this holiday season.

“Keep the local merchants in business. Keep downtown alive if not downtown will fold up and blow away,” Michael Madonna said.

Madonna says he shops locally for everyone on his list every year, knowing most store owners in downtown Colorado Springs by name.

“I’m thinking of Athan and Paula over at Bang Bang. I’m thinking over here at Eclectic this one here Tara Verde I knew the lady that started this years ago,” Madonna said.

His shopping was anything but last minute.

“I pre-shop and then I go out to my shop and I think who’s this for make myself a list what do they like?” Madonna said.

The co-owner of Eceltic Co Peri Bolts tells 11 News her store, filled with independent vendors, is always trying to provide the best items for their customers. Some shoppers tell …