Big name national retailers took the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pulled in shoppers in droves.
What about those mom-and-pop businesses in our community and beyond that are the backbone of America’s economy? Just when do they get their day?
That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born.
Small Business Saturday is “a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities,” the U.S. Small Business Administration explains on its website.
American Express gets the credit for founding the shopping holiday, which got its official start on Nov. 27, 2010, according to the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. Celebrating its third year on Nov. 24, the event drew over 100 million people last year, according to the Small Business Saturday website.
Locally owned business across the country now take part in Small Business Saturday, offering their own deals to rival those offered the day before on Black Friday.
To find retailers that take part in the promotion, just visit the Small Business Saturday website, click on “Find Out Where To Shop” in the menu at the top of the screen and type in your ZIP code.
What are your favorite small businesses? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
We all like to pretend to support small businesses, but nowadays people aren't putting their money where their mouth is unless they're getting something for it. It's the ME ME ME mentality of getting the best possible price via things like groupons and small business saturday where the majority of people will spend the absolute minimum they can to get the "deal" while caring less about the business. I know this will probably anger the self righteous crowd that believes they truly support small businesses, but let's be honest and say that you're in the minority. The majority of people were lining up at Target and Walmart and the other big box stores on Thursday, and sure you might see them on Saturday with their AMEX cards to get the $25 back, but they aren't going to be in droves like the Black Thursday mobs were. For what it's worth I do own a small business and while it's possible to do brisque business, the big businesses are what people are supporting, even though they could care less about the local community and even when they treat their employees like garbage. It really boils down to people not caring that their stuff is made in horrible working conditions as long as it's CHEAP. How about Anti-Modern Day Slavery Saturday where we throw out everything made in terrible working environments? Oh wait that would leave us with virtually nothing.
I'd gladly pay a bit more than the Home Depot/Lowes etc. to support a Mom and Pop and keep them going. You can't beat the customer service and good feeling of shopping there.