Counting today, 41 days remain to help Vicksburg’s economy before Christmas. It’s time to divert what could become more of a crisis.

For years, Vicksburg residents have packed up and motored to Jackson for Christmas shopping. Try not to do that this year. Try to shop at home. Try to help the Vicksburg economy.

Look downtown, look at Pemberton Square, look at the Outlets at Vicksburg and you’ll see too much of the same tired story: vacant storefronts, nearly empty stores, generally, a dismal situation. But look a little further and you’ll see stores with plenty on the shelves and the racks, lots of unique-to-Vicksburg items just waiting for the right buyer.

The pages of this newspaper are full of ads for stores here in town that have just about anything that could be on your Christmas shopping list. Our Holiday Gift Guide will be in the paper Nov. 21 with suggestions for everyone. Why would you want to shop elsewhere?

Vicksburg stores can’t wait for hoped-for tourists to bale us out. We have to help ourselves.

It’s time to get creative, focus on Vicksburg wares, art objects, clothes and even services. Help Vicksburg and Warren County do what they can to beat the economic blahs.

Shop in Vicksburg.