The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is encouraging residents to "Shop Maryland for the Holidays" this year.
Visiting local shops today in Bethesda, he kicked off his annual tour throughout the state promoting small business patronage.
“There is something to be said for the personal interactions with other shoppers and store employees at the holidays. It’s warm and inviting, unlike a cold, unfeeling computer,” Franchot said. “Plus when you shop in state and support your community businesses, you are bound to find great deals and help the more than 500,000 Marylanders employed in our state’s retail sector. And really, isn’t the spirit of the holidays all about helping others and kindness?”
Downtown Bethesda is the first of several stops on the comptroller’s tour to promote the great retailers and community shopping areas throughout the state. In the coming weeks he will visit other communities such as Reisterstown (Baltimore County), Cumberland (Allegany County), Chestertown (Kent County) and Leonardtown (St. Mary’s County). In past years, the comptroller has shopped in Queenstown, Hunt Valley, Baltimore City, Takoma Park, Cumberland, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Easton and Salisbury.