Some local business owners got together this week to plan ideas to make consumers zero in on Ottumwa for their shopping needs.

Especially now, as holiday shopping starts to get in full swing.

As the lead in Mark Newman’s story Wednesday said, local merchants need help — from local merchants.

The emphasis of the Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce-led first get-together at Country Kitchen is to come up with ideas to make Ottumwa the holiday shopping city.

What the group needs is more participation by as many local businesses as possible, no matter if you are a small business or a large one.

We’re all in this together, and it takes everyone’s efforts to promote Ottumwa businesses.

We are happy to see that the Chamber is taking the lead in this holiday push.

In these tough economic times, the Chamber should be doing all it can to promote Ottumwa as a shopping mecca and to help local retailers plan ways to attract more customers.

The Courier and the chamber got together to help make the Holiday Nights ‘n Lights a big drawing card for out-of-towners. The light show starts again next month in Ottumwa Park, thanks also to the many volunteers who help get the scenes ready.

Main Street Ottumwa will have its annual holiday lighting of Central Park.

Right now, the retail summit members need ideas and plans of action to entice even more shoppers to the hub of southeast Iowa.

There is no reason to keep this group from being successful. Ottumwa offers so much from many stores located all over town. Sales and specials are abundant. You don’t have to fight traffic. You are close to home.

We commend the planners so far, and urge all retailers to attend the next session Nov. 3. The more people are involved, the chances are improved for more ideas to be shared.

Shop local is a good slogan, but there are better ones, we’re sure.

Let’s all help out our local businesses as much as we can. We’re all in this together.