Be Local by participating in Small Business Saturday
The nation will observe Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, an event that follows the Be Local philosophy of promoting locally-owned, independent businesses.
Created in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday falls over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The event continues to grow, taking place in all 50 states.
On its website, American Express reports, “Through their own promotional efforts and customer outreach, small business owners generated an estimated $15.4 billion dollars on Small Business Saturday in 2016.”
The U.S. Small Business Administration, on its website, calls Small Business Saturday “a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. Please join the SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small business by shopping at a small business.”
Executive directors of local chambers of commerce commented on the event and reflected on the importance of small businesses.
Muriel Nuttall, of Fayette Chamber of Commerce, said, “We have an ongoing marketing campaign called Think Fayette First – Think Fayette First before you shop, Think Fayette First before you eat. We try to keep the dollars in our local businesses. When you support local businesses, you support people who live and work around you. It’s nothing against larger businesses or retail but small business owners live, work and raise their families in our communities. They are the foundation of our communities and should be supported.”
Melody Longstreth, of Greene County Chamber of Commerce, commented, “Shopping small is extremely important to the our local economy in so many ways. When you shop small, you are purchasing from your neighbors and helping to further their dream of entrepreneurship. You are helping to keep small shops available right here at home not only for your own convenience, but for the convenience of employees having a job close to home. It supports the tax base locally and provides a better quality of life for all of us. Remember, when you shop small, you are shopping to support your friends and neighbors while they are providing fresh, unique and quality products right here at home.”
Debra Keefer, of Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, remarked, “Everyone is encouraged to ‘show the love’ and ‘shop small’ on Nov. 25 in our Mon Valley communities. There are several wonderful main street shopping districts in the Valley, including Charleroi, North Belle Vernon, and Monongahela, that are embracing Small Business Saturday.”
Keefer added, “Helping small business to promote their holiday merchandise, American Express helps with marketing and promotional materials at no cost to the merchants. The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a proud Neighborhood Champion and encourages businesses to check out www.smallbusinesssaturday.com to see what this ever growing ‘holiday’ can do to promote spending in our local communities. See you on November 25 – I will be shopping small!”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.