Area chambers of commerce are encouraging last minute Christmas shoppers to buy gifts local this week.

Executive Director of the Pella Chamber of Commerce Karen Eischen says Pella and Marion County retailers offer a wide variety of products and services for last minute gift ideas. She says many retailers in Pella are appreciative of the large number of local residents keeping their business in the county for their holiday shopping. Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Josh McKenna says many people in the community want more retail businesses to develop in Knoxville, and he says the best way to encourage that is to support retail businesses that already exist in area. Eischen adds that many businesses will be open through Wednesday afternoon to accommodate customers.