Local business owners are not buying into the doom and gloom of economists and media pundits and remain confident that shoppers will be back in the stores this holiday season.

It's not that entrepreneurs have been unaware of the global recession and its impact on the Canadian economy but they are staying focused on their own business and are finding that customers are keen to have a great Christmas.

"They might not buy wrapping paper, they'll look at ways of being eco friendly, environmentally friendly. They may be looking at how much they're spending, over all. But they are not going to sacrifice their Christmas," asserted Wim Vander Zalm, whose Art Knapp Plantland and Florist in Port Coquitlam will begin selling Christmas trees this weekend, in addition to holiday-themed gardening and gift items.

One of the trends local business owners are noticing is the interest in shopping local and buying from local artisans and crafts people. Tina Clelland says shoppers are spending close to home at Under the Moon gift store in Port Coquitlam. "A lot of people are doing that 100 mile rule." She noted that people are looking for gifts by Canadian artists, something her store is focusing on this holiday season.

Many shoppers are looking to treat themselves or their loved ones with affordable luxuries said Tracey Bates, owner of Eden West Fine Foods and Gifts in Port Moody, Her holiday gift baskets are popular and she's stocked up on holiday-themed gourmet foods.

"People are definitely out there looking," Bates said, noting that her recent holiday shopping event was well attended.

Bates doubled her floor space and expanded her teaching kitchen this year because of a growing interest in cooking classes.

Filomena Agosti and her husband Angelo just opened Filomena Salon and Spa next to Silver City in Coquitlam two weeks ago and have attracted plenty of customers without even putting up a sign.

Word of mouth and social media, like Facebook and Twitter, have helped create a buzz. "With the economy happening I didn't really see a falling out of my business," said Agosti, a Tri-City resident who opened up her first salon and spa in UBC neighbourhood five years ago. "It's a little escape and my prices aren't crazy."

Laura Mah, owner of Il Destino Salon and Spa in Port Moody said she has been giving more thought into people's spending habits and has come up with a line of Holiday Express Services to help people doll up for Christmas without spending alot.

"This is a joyful but an extremely stressful season for a lot of people and wanting to look and feel their best at a cocktail or staff Christmas party is important, " she said, noting that pre-orders for gift-baskets and gift-certifates are also good.

Kirsten Anderson, owner of The Village Toy Shop in Port Moody, said she hasn't hasn't noticed people holding back on buying toys. "People are preetty positive and excited about the new toys," Anderson, noting that stocking stuffers under $15 have been a big seller.

"I just buy what I lilke, what the customrs like and what they are asking for and stick to what the demand is."

Comments by local retailers are reflected in trends across the province, said Mark Startup, president and CEO of Shelfspace, which represents retail business in B.C.

Start-up said the province has just come off of five to 10 years of startling growth and and is doing well compared to other countries given the global nature of the economic downturn.

"Against those benchmarks we've done very well. There are many retail companeis that have weathered the storm very successfully they made many positive decisions that have allowed the to hang on to staff levels. The aggregate may be down but that doesn't meann all retail companies are doing poorly. Many have turned the situation into opportunity and success."