There are just two weeks left before Christmas, and small businesses hope shoppers consider buying locally.

The Pop Up in the Park: Holiday Market at James Weldon Johnson Park was a day full of local vendors.

“If you come down and you buy from the people who live here, the people, the artists, the partisans who build things locally, you’re supporting the local community,” said Chris Gresham, co-Owner of 215DesignsJax.

“And it’s not going to be something that’s in the store. It’s very unique, personal, and special,” said Dianne Woods, owner of Jim and Bunny Handcrafted Soap.

With Christmas coming up, local shopping is better for the community. For one, shopping locally keeps money flowing within the community. Two, according to The Small Business Administration, locally owned businesses account for more than 3 million jobs in Florida. That’s more than 40% of the state’s workforce. It’s also a higher percentage than the national average.

“215 designs Jacksonville,” Gresham said.

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They specialize in woodcarving and engraving.

“I also sell what I call a spirit box, which holds a bottle of bourbon, whiskey, shot glass or rocks glasses,” Gresham said.

“Jim and Bunny Handcrafted Soap was in honor of my mom and dad Jim and Bunny, who were married for 72 years,” Woods said.

Read: Pop Up in The Park: Holiday Market

They specialize in handmade soaps, essential oils, fragrances, body butters and sugars.

The Pop Up in the Park: Holiday Market is just one of many reasons why vendors say you should shop locally — not just for the holidays but year-round.

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