Omaha businesses are hoping folks in the metro keep their money right here this holiday season, so starting Saturday and running through December 15th, the Omaha Local Business Alliance is asking consumers to shop at locally-owned businesses.

The program is called Omaha Unchained. Beth Briardy is looking to get herself a Harry Potter novel at her favorite book store, Pageturners Used Books. "It's fun, you can go downstairs and have a seat and pick through old books, it's a cool place to be."

Consumers know they can take their money anywhere, but may not realize the benefit of spending cash at the store next door. "We are invested in the community, we live here, our children go to school here, so more than likely we're giving back to the community more than chain stores," says Dundee Gallery owner Jean Imray.

Imray says when you buy local, your money stays at home. Not only is
Dundee Gallery locally owned, many of the featured artists are from Omaha.

Claire Kenkel could get her hair done anywhere, but chose to go down the street to Halo Salon. "I think they have a personal touch to it, you know the people coming in, I think they will work with you more and just make it a more personalized experience."

It's that personal touch says Briardy which keeps her shopping close to home. "I live six blocks away and I like to frequent my neighborhood stores because I want them to stay here."

Omaha Unchained is part of a national program, America Unchained, which is a national campaign by the American Independent Business Alliance.