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Shop Local!
There’s a magic to Ponca City that can’t be captured in a store window or a price tag. It’s in the way neighbors greet each other on the street, familiar faces in store fronts, and how a simple purchase can ripple through the entire community. Shopping local here isn’t just convenient, it’s a way of life that keeps the community strong and connected. I asked some of our Chamber investors what “shopping local” means to them and to share one of their fondest memories of owning a business and connecting with the local shoppers who make Ponca City special.
Inside Anderson Flooring on 1st Street, Matt Anderson greets visitors with the warmth of a longtime neighbor. For more than twenty years, Matt has watched his employees and customers grow together, forming bonds that go beyond business. “Shopping Ponca City is huge because it allows the revenue and tax to stay locally to benefit the business, employees, and Ponca City citizens,” he says. His favorite memories aren’t spreadsheets or contracts. One of his favorite memories is the 20th anniversary of Anderson Flooring, when friends, clients, and fellow business owners came together to celebrate decades of shared stories and projects. “Ponca City truly is a great place to live and raise a family,” Matt shared.
Several blocks over on Highland, Kerri Bowman of Shelter Insurance can be found in her office, filled with personal touches and family photos. It feels more like a living room than a business. “The best thing I’ve done for my business is to be involved with our Chamber,” Kerri says. “They collaborate with other local agencies and make it easy for us to participate.” When locals choose her agency, they’re not just buying insurance, they are supporting a 100% woman-owned business, her employees, and the web of other local businesses she works with. Kerri still remembers the Kerri Bowman-Shelter Insurance ribbon-cutting ceremony, when neighbors and colleagues showed up to cheer her on. “Starting a business isn’t for the weak at heart. That support meant everything. I’ll always Shop Ponca First.”
On the north side of town on 14th, the lot at Heather Cannon Honda is always buzzing with activity. Heather Cannon talks about how every vehicle sold or serviced contributes to Ponca City. “It supports jobs, keeps resources right here in Ponca City, and helps our team continue giving back,” she says. From local school sponsorships to charitable events, her dealership is a hub of connection. “So many customers tell us they choose us because we support the community. It’s an ongoing reminder that when we invest in Ponca City, our community invests right back in us.”
Back on Grand Avenue, the bell over the door at McGee Jewelers rings as customers step in. Matt McGee recalls a story that still makes him smile: a bride-to-be came in the day before her wedding because her grandmother’s ring, purchased years ago from Matt’s father, didn’t fit. They resized it that afternoon, ensuring she could wear it down the aisle. “Moments like that remind us how connected we all are,” he says. “Whether it’s community members shopping for milestones or supporting us during tough times, Ponca City always finds a way to lift up its own.”
Back across town on 14th Street, Sean Love at Smith Home Furnishings enjoys helping customers search for the perfect sofa or rug with the same care he’s given for years. Sean shared a point of pride, “During our anniversary celebration, longtime customers shared memories of shopping here with their parents, and now they’re bringing their own kids,” Sean says. “When people shop locally, it keeps Ponca City strong. Every purchase supports local jobs, families, and schools, and that ripple effect touches everyone.”
Back downtown at Om Yoga & Wellness Center, the bright details of the studio are familiar and welcoming as Sarah Scholey greets her teachers, practitioners, and customers. “When people shop local, it makes a positive impact on my business and a significant boost for all my therapists, practitioners, and teachers,” she says. Small Business Saturday has become a highlight for Sarah. It’s a day when the town comes together to celebrate entrepreneurs, wellness, and the simple joy of supporting each other. “It’s a beautiful reminder that we’re all in this together,” Sarah shared.
From flooring to furniture, cars to jewelry, yoga mats to insurance, and everything in between, the story is the same. Shopping local isn’t just a transaction, it’s a commitment. Every dollar spent in Ponca City stays here, supporting jobs, families, and the relationships that make the town unique. Behind every storefront is someone who knows your name, remembers your story, and believes in the community just as much as you do.
While shopping in Ponca City, you can feel it; the rhythm, the warmth, the heartbeat. It all starts with choosing local. This holiday season, make it a personal challenge to do as much of your shopping as you can right here at home, even if it’s just one small gift for everyone on your list. Every purchase you make locally sends a ripple of support through our town. It truly does make a difference to a local business owner!
Don’t forget about Santa Buck Giveaway that is in full swing. Shop locally with participating merchants for a chance to win big! See the advertisement in this edition of Ponca City Monthly for details that I reminded you about in November’s edition of Ponca City Monthly. Tis the season!
Shop local. Share the love. Feel the heartbeat. Shop Ponca First.
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