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Most of us think of the long Thanksgiving weekend as a time to gather with family, enjoy a delicious (albeit gluttonous) meal, and begin the official countdown to the December holidays.
It also is a time to celebrate small business, the very backbone of our American economy. These small businesses — more than 30 million strong — are the job creators and community partners that keep our country and industry humming along.
More than a decade ago, as a response to the Great Recession, American Express launched a program that focused on our small businesses. And with this effort, they ultimately started a movement to shop and buy local.
While Black Friday remains as strong as ever, and now Cyber Monday rivals it, Small Business Saturday reminds us to patronize our favorite local stores — the local stationer, the corner hardware store, your favorite coffee grinder and the neighborhood pet supply shop.
All of these are part of a multi-faceted network of local businesses that will ultimately be key to our post-COVID recovery. These essential businesses, many of which closed their doors to their regular customers for months, are roaring back to life and need your support more than ever.
When our Coral Gables Chamber got involved in Small Business Saturday, it was the second year of the program, and we quickly were noticed on a national level for our efforts. Now, 12 years later, most of the day’s program will remain virtual yet again. But not us!That’s not who we are or how we roll when it comes to loving our local business community. Our small businesses need us — now, more than ever!
With the return to our Gables version of the new normal, we need to continue to celebrate all things small business. Many have suffered tremendous loss and heartbreak over the past two years and the upcoming holiday season is essential to their continued recovery and success.
That is why programs like Small Business Saturday — and our Gables Chamber’s full-throated support of the movement — will ensure that the coffee shop keeps pouring your favorite cup of hot java to get your energy flowing, your hardware store stays open on Saturdays for that home improvement project, and that the stationary store has that perfect holiday card to send to friends and family.
Speaking of stationers, our Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a very special kick-off event for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27 at Bliss Imprints at 293 Miracle Mile in the heart of the City Beautiful.
This relatively new retailer, owned by a husband and wife, opened during COVID in Downtown Coral Gables. I find it to be a quintessentially delightful small business and we hope you will join us as we celebrate another year of shopping local.
After the kickoff event, we will embark on an Architectural Walking Tour around Downtown, popping in and visiting local retailers and showing our appreciation for all things small business. Call it a uniquely Coral Gables shopping tour where you get a head start on your holiday purchases.
For more information on Small Business Saturday or our chamber, check out our website at coralgables.com or any of our social media platforms @gableschamber.
Here’s to having a big impact while shopping small this year — beginning on Saturday, Nov. 27.
