While corporations nationwide will open their doors after Thanksgiving for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday urges Americans to go out and support local businesses in their communities while shopping. Every receipt for $25 or more from a downtown Summit business on Small Business Saturday earns you a raffle entry. “When you shop at a chain store, most of the money goes back to some corporate office somewhere else, but when you support small, most of that money stays here at home”.
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While the big focus for Elkin will be businesses in the downtown area, other small businesses around town and in the county also may have specials and discounts on November 28, which is the observance of Shop Small Saturday this year.
“Small businesses have a huge impact on the local economy and are vital to our community’s continued economic success and entrepreneurial spirit”.
She’s hopeful the shop owners see the same kind of support this holiday season that many of them give to the community year round.
“Running a small business is extremely hard”, said Trish Livingston, director of the Small Business Development Center.
The recent American Express-commissioned survey looks at the shopping habits of 1000 Australian consumers and the sales habits of 700 small businesses.
She said many stores will have unannounced sales, treats for the customers and offer a little slower pace in the downtown setting.
“If we have a good season, we support our employees, their families, and we support all of these different people who need help”, said Fordham. “Small businesses build a strong economy and strong communities”.
Launched by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday was officially recognized by the United States Senate in 2011.
That means they actually have quite a bit in common, both owners say.
“It will run before Thanksgiving and run until Christmas”, Cook said. Some studies place that local recirculation figure at 30 percent; others at 70 percent.
Small businesses can also spend more time with the customer, Espiritu said. “The holiday shopping atmosphere created in partnership between downtown businesses and Jacksonville Main Street really draws customers downtown to celebrate the beauty of downtown Jacksonville and the unique gift shops the city offers”.
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Let’s call this Small Business Tuesday. People can sometimes find things at a small business that they can’t find anywhere else too. “There are lots of ways to participate this year, by shopping, dining or inviting friends to shop with you”.
