Shop local when you can — it will make a huge difference.

As the world has turned to instant purchasing and quick delivery, it becomes more tempting to not shop local.

Taking a few extra minutes to shop local can help to boost our local economy and potentially save a local business. Here are some tips to help you.

• If time is what you are interested is saving, try making a phone call to a locally owned store. Customer service at locally owned businesses is amazing. If you call first to inquire about an item, you can save the time you didn’t want to spend searching for the item. Often you will find that the locally owned stores are willing to special order something for you if they don’t have it in stock. They want your business and are willing to work for it.

• Find out what stores carry unique items. Ask friends about who might carry something you are interested in. For example, did you ever imagine that the locally owned Fleet Farm carries the My Pillow. Your friends may have just seen something that you didn’t think to check.

• Remember it is easier to exchange an item at a locally owned store. They will back their products better than any online store and make it convenient for you to exchange an item.

• There is much debate about shopping at big box or chain stores. If you can’t find items of interest at a locally owned shop, a chain store is still a good option. By supporting these stores, you are supporting the local jobs they create.

• Fill up your gas tank before leaving town. Some of our gas stations are locally owned and all employ local people. Supporting these businesses helps jobs too.

• You can’t beat the service of local delivery. What our furniture stores have been doing for generations has finally caught on with other retailers. If convenience of delivery is what you were looking for, remember that stores such as Curt’s Pharmacy and Hy-Vee will deliver your orders right to your front doorstep.

When in doubt, buy an Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. These gift certificates are redeemable at any chamber member store. Most stores in Albert Lea are chamber members.