As shipping date deadlines for Christmas delivery came and went last week, local makers and vendors were ready for shoppers on the hunt for last-minute gifts they can grab, wrap and hand off.
“My wife is the buyer, and she ordered a lot early in anticipation of that, and we were stacked to the gills,” said Eric Landrum, the owner of Local Only Gifts & Goods on the North Shore. “A lot of our customers know that shipping is more tricky and expect delays. People are more wanting to get in and see it.”
The U.S. Postal Service set Dec. 15 as the shipping date to hit for delivery of gifts by Christmas through regular mail, Dec. 17 for first-class deliveries, and Dec. 18 for priority mail. But while buying local may be a good way to dodge supply chain kinks and shipping delays, locals haven’t been immune from those challenges as they’ve prepared for the holiday.
“I’ve absolutely had issues,” said Carrie Black, the owner of Luna Lime Candles. “The glass jars that I use specifically just completely evaporated overnight, and I had to make a really hard pivot and change up the glassware I use, and that’s such a large component of the product.”
Adrienne Cooper, the owner of Moonlight Roller, which sells roller skates and related products, manufactures her skates overseas, and that’s a tricky proposition these days, she said.