Since 2010, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has been known as Small Business Saturday. The annual event encourages people to kick off the holiday shopping season by supporting stores in their own community.
The Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce will offer bags stuffed with items and information from local businesses to the first 50 shoppers downtown Saturday, November 30. Bags will be available at Wild Sorrel Floral, 208-A North Brazos, beginning at 10 a.m.
American Express created Small Business Saturday during the recession in 2010 to prompt people to do their holiday shopping at small businesses near them.
One year later, the “Shop Small” movement began to gain momentum, and officials from all 50 states as well as the president of the United States recognized the day and encouraged people to participate.
Shopping locally can support neighbors, build community and help create demand for local jobs. Additionally, shopping at a local business keeps your money in the community.
For every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents stays in the local community, with 44 cents going to the small business owner and employee wages and benefits and 23 cents being reinvested in other local businesses.
When shopping locally, sales taxes go toward necessary city funds such as infrastructure, fire and police protection and street repairs.
Shopping locally can also be more convenient, and small business owners often have more product knowledge and expertise to share than larger retailers since they have a more specific focus area.
The Lakelander 