Local stores are doing everything they can to keep members of the community shopping close to home.

A continuing tradition for the downtown stores is to have a preview party, a day early in November where they open their doors to the public, after normal business hours.

This year, the event will take place on Monday, Nov. 3 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

“It’s an important event for the community because downtown Selma is vital, it’s like the hub of the community, and the community needs to support these stores,” said Doris Truax, owner of Butler Truax Jewelers.

The event includes several downtown shops, as well as a few other local businesses that will be setting up inside of Butler Truax.

“We want [the community] to shop locally, we want to support our town first,” said Becky Youngblood, an employee at Allez-oup. “We’re encouraging people to go to all of the shops, and begin their Christmas shopping in downtown Selma.”

Stores are offering discounts, refreshments and even prizes for those that make it out.

“The doors will be open, and it should be festive,” Youngblood said. “I expect a lot of foot traffic that night.”

Just as the holiday season approaches, shoppers are going to have the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and go ahead and purchase gifts.

“It’s a great time to decide what you might be purchasing for your friends and family for Christmas, and you can go ahead and make some of those purchases and get it out of the way,” Truax said.

Although she it’s a great time to buy, Truax also said that it’s not necessary to buy something, anyone is welcome to just attend the event and look at what the different stores have to offer.

“Anybody who comes is not expected to buy anything,” Turax said. “It’s just a great way to let people know that we … and the other stores downtown, are professional, service oriented stores, that are independently owned by nice people.”

Youngblood and Truax agreed that the event is just a good way to get the community together, and help benefit the local stores in the area.

“It’s a good event for the community to get out and come to something fun,” Truax said. “Hopefully they will remember us next time they do need to purchase something, and not go out of town.”

The stores participating are Carter Drugs, Allez-oup, Welle Studio, Teja’s Accessories Boutique, Butler Truax Jewelers, El Ranchero and The Lilly Pad on Broad Street.

Also participating by setting up inside Buter Truax, are Mark’s Mart, The Vinyard, Rountree Outdoors and Ev Marie’s Cupcakery.