With Black Friday sales only a couple weeks away, Marylanders already are busily checking off items on their holiday shopping lists. Comptroller Peter Franchot once again is encouraging residents to Shop Maryland for the Holidays as he begins his 2015 holiday shopping tour at locations throughout the state beginning Tuesday, November 17.

“Shopping at local businesses supports the more than 500,000 of our friends and neighbors who work in Maryland’s retail sector,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Holidays are about making memories with friends and family and giving back to our communities. As we head into the holiday season, what better way to spread holiday cheer and goodwill than patronizing the many local shops and cafes that serve as the bedrock of our local communities?”

The Maryland Retailers Association (MRA) says the holiday shopping season is important to retailers in communities throughout the state.

“The Maryland Retailers Association is thrilled to join Comptroller Franchot on his statewide tour encouraging Marylanders to shop local,” said Cailey Locklair Tolle, president of the Maryland Retailers Association. “In addition to creating jobs and providing much needed tax revenue to the state, retailers give back to communities and stabilize neighborhoods. Shopping local is important for many reasons and we hope Marylanders will keep this in mind, not just for the holidays, but year-round.”
The Comptroller will be joined by Ms. Tolle on behalf of the Maryland Retailers Association for some of the stops as well as elected, business and community leaders as he strolls through the central business districts of each community.

The tour includes:

  • Baltimore City, November 17
  • Annapolis, November 18
  • Riverdale, Prince George’s County, November 20
  • Cumberland and Frederick, Allegany and Frederick Counties respectively, December 3
  • Towson area, Baltimore County, December 7
  • Easton and Cambridge, Talbot and Dorchester Counties respectively, December 11
  • Salisbury, Wicomico County, December 14.

Comptroller Franchot reminds consumers that in-state shopping puts citizens’ hard-earned money back into their communities and supports local businesses that employ friends and neighbors. He also believes “shopping locally gets consumers the best product, service and experience for their dollar.”