If you’re looking for a new show to binge over the holidays, look no further than All the Light We Cannot See, the new mini series on Netflix. The series follows the path of a blind French girl during the final days of WWII. To navigate her surroundings, the girl’s father constructs an entire miniature replica of their city. As he traces his daughter’s fingers through the streets, telling her where to turn and when to stop, it’s evident we rarely rely on all our senses.
Too often do we fall into the trap of: See. Click. Buy. We shortchange our capacities for instant gratification or convenience. Yet shopping in person evokes all the sensations: seeing, touching, smelling, and sometimes even tasting.
I spent about six hours in a retail shop a few weeks ago. Kendra Patterson, owner of Michigan Barn Wood and Salvage, was kind enough to lend us her store so Michigan Retailers Association could film its annual holiday video.
If you’ve ever been on a film set, you know that there is a lot of down time in between shots. As a result, we had the opportunity to enjoy every section of the store. The MRA team smelled all the candles, choosing our favorites. We picked up winter hats, assessing their warmth. We scouted the aisles finding trinkets for those in our families that are hard to shop for, and I was once again reminded of all the reasons why I love retail.
For those of us that are fortunate to have full use of our senses, I encourage you to use them. Try on that sweater instead of ordering it in two sizes and sending it back. Feel the joy of entering a retail shop that has gone all out with its holiday decorations. Support your local retailers, because when you Buy Nearby, it has an impact we all can see.
Michigan Barn Wood and Salvage, located in Mason, features products from more than 100 local artisans.
