Black Friday is here, let the pandemonium commence.

Today marks the official start of the holiday shopping season. First, as you rush from one gigantic-all-prices-slashed-blowout-sale to the next, take a deep breath. The sales will be going all season. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get everything on your list today.

Second, don’t forget local stores also offer some great products. These shops are owned by local people, many who are involved members of our community. They too can offer some good deals and, more often than not, without the blood-pressure-raising-chaos of the chain stores.

There’s nothing wrong with sticking to the bigger stores — any money spent in Kitsap County is money well spent – but it’s important to be cognizant of the value of spreading your dollars to locally owned businesses. And before you turn to the great deals of online shopping, remember those dollars won’t be going back into your community. Sure, you may find some great deals, but in the end, local dollars are what help keep Kitsap’s economy going.

It’s been a rough year for many small business owners. Take a drive past the various empty storefronts lining our streets and you can see for yourself. Plenty of business owners will need the revenue from the holiday season just to keep their doors open and their staff employed. Remember this before you click “Add to Cart.”