Black Friday sales at the big chain stores and Cyber Monday sales online are getting a lot of attention these days, but something called Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30 should be even more important to shoppers and the communities in which they live.
Small Business Saturday, with its slogan of “shop small,” was created in 2010 by American Express to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods. Think about it. It just makes sense. Much of the money you spend at the big national stores goes out of the area, but the money you spend here at the little individually owned stores and businesses stays here in your community and helps fuel your local economy.
Those little “mom and pop” businesses — the specialty stores and nonchain restaurants that are owned and operated by local folks — your friends and neighbors — not only deserve and appreciate your business, they also spend what money they earn right here in the same town, which helps support other local businesses.
Local small businesses, independent of the chains, tend to be the largest job providers throughout the nation, so their value to fighting unemployment is important. They also, being highly individual, give a unique flavor to the community and often provide goods and services not available at the “big box” stores.
So on Nov, 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, support the local businesses in your area by “shopping small.” In fact, that’s not just an idea that’s good for only one day a year, but year round. Shopping local is good for your community all the time.
