Shop late, shop local in Downtown Brevard [Video]

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Businesses in Western North Carolina are still seeing impacts from Hurricane Helene with slower sales and fewer visitors to the area. With the holiday season a typically busy time of year, a new initiative hopes to convince customers to shop small this holiday season.

Heart of Brevard, a nonprofit organization focusing on maintaining a vital downtown, created Shop Local, Shop Late. The initiative is taking place from December 19-21, from 5-8 p.m. Visitors will be able to take a stroll down festive Main Street and enjoy extended shopping hours at more than 25 stores.

There’s also a Holiday Windows Walking Tour happening now in the downtown area. At least 30 businesses have fun and festive window displays inspired by the theme Merry and Bright.

One of the stores participating is O.P. Taylor’s. The toy store’s original location is in Downtown Brevard. They sell just about every toy from Bryer to Bruder and the …