With the national economy in a bind, Wilton retailers will be offering special sales and promotions to encourage shoppers to buy locally.

Store owners along River Road in Wilton have watched the number of customers coming through their doors decline as a result of the recession.

In response to falling sales, stores in the area have joined together to create the ?Shop Wilton, Shop Local? event. The event, which will begin this Friday and run through Sunday, is an attempt to bring sales up, while also leaving customers with a little extra money in their wallets.

?In bad times like this we have to come together as a community,? event organizer Rosanna Coughlin says. ?We want to stay. We want to serve the customers.?

Store owners say that throughout the weekend event, they hope to draw customers into their stores with sales, special deals and freebies. Some of the deals will include anywhere from 10-25 percent off new spring items and even deeper discounts on sale items.

Business owners hope that by offering deep discounts and specials, customers will take note of what Wilton has to offer and will continue shopping locally.