Westchester County and Mamaroneck town officials went shopping along Mamaroneck Avenue on Tuesday to highlight the importance of supporting local businesses during the holiday season.

Deputy Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and members of the Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce say locally-owned businesses, like Robert's Department Store, are the backbone of the community.

“Roberts on Mamaroneck Avenue is really one of the anchor stores. If you think about the shopping district, it’s been here, it seems like forever, it should be here forever, and it's important to the vitality of the community,” says Legislator Catherine Parker.

Robert's Department Store has been in the area since 1930, but manager Jared Andreassi says they have been struggling to compete with the convenience of online shopping.

“Obviously with online….it's so much easier and I get the convenience, but it's difficult for us, so to help us out a little bit and buy stuff for us, it really helps out, it makes a big difference,” he says.

The group of officials also made sure to stop in on women-owned businesses as well, like Mama Village Rx and Wellness Pharmacy.

“Why should you shop here instead of CVS? Well No. 1, you get the personalized service that you wouldn't get at a chain, they probably don't have the time or energy to service you like we would, this is more like a concierge pharmacy,” says pharmacist Sophia Liristis.