Author: Pam Blondin
Inspired by my love for North Carolina and all it has to offer, I founded DECO Raleigh in 2012, a unique, smart and locally-focused gift shop in Downtown Raleigh. Every day since then, I have worked to build community, to support our local artists and creatives, and to make our city and state a better place.
There is no better example of this than the holiday season. At DECO, we don’t just love the holidays, we live for the holidays. Celebration is who we are. From greeting cards to ornaments to candles, we love connecting our customers with the perfect gifts made by independent makers, many from NC.
Unfortunately, this holiday season is different. Our business has been impacted by the reckless tariffs from Washington, DC. The tariffs are driving up prices of our goods 20 to 50 percent, and some vendors have used the tariffs to further raise the price of goods and even shipping. Some of our customers’ favorite brands have stopped shipping to the United States entirely. And unlike corporate retailers, we don’t have any negotiating power.
This doesn’t just impact our imported goods; all of our local artists and creatives are also dealing with higher costs of goods and have been forced to raise prices. Many of our local partners have told me that their cost of materials, from jewelry components to paint supplies and packaging, have soared.
I can’t in good conscience pass the cost of these tariffs on to our customers. I know people are struggling to make ends meet especially during the holiday season, but I don’t know how much longer we can survive with razor thin margins. The burden of tariffs is unequivocally falling on consumers and independent businesses, and it’s a heavy burden.
Unfortunately, this is a self-inflicted crisis by DC politicians who don’t have our backs.
That’s why, as we head into 2026, everyone in North Carolina should know the stakes of our next election. Michael Whatley, the Republican candidate for Senate, is an ardent supporter of these reckless tariffs. He said he backed them “wholeheartedly.” Every voter should know that Michael Whatley is cheering on policies that are hurting North Carolina families, small businesses, and communities.
We need leaders who will fight for North Carolina, not against us.
I opened DECO with a mission to build community and help make Raleigh a more vibrant and welcoming place. Without independent businesses and restaurants, that is impossible.
As we celebrate the holidays this year and give one another unique gems from around the state, let us keep working together to make North Carolina the best place to live, dine, and, of course, shop local.
Pam Blondin is the owner of DECO in downtown Raleigh.
