Small Business Saturday

Have you noticed how many small businesses in our area have closed?  The economic downturn has taken a toll on everyone.  A couple of years ago American Express began promoting Small Business Saturday.  The idea - shop at a small business on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

I hope you will join me in making a purchase at small business in our area or if you want to spend the day at home - an on-line small business.

This doesn't have to just be holiday shopping. Remember there are countless small businesses that don't sell sweaters and electronics.  Here are some ideas for local shopping on Saturday, November 26:

• Skip the nationally advertised chain restaurant and try a locally owned coffee shop or restaurant.
• Get the oil changed in your car at a local garage.
• Purchase something handmade on Etsy.com
• Bypass the "million dollar corner lot" national pharmacy and drive down the street to your locally owned pharmacy to pick up a few things for your medicine cabinet.  Tranfer a prescription to your local pharmacy.  You'll be relieved to speak to the same pharmacist every time when you have questions.
• Go appliance or furniture shopping for yourself at a small local store.  I always try to buy things that might need to be repaired someday at a locally owned store. The service is so much better and the deal is just as good.
• Place an order with a home-sales specialist - Stampin' Up!, Pampered Chef or whatever you favor.
• Stop by your salon and have a manicure or pick up some styling products for yourself or as stocking stuffers.
• Grab a couple of paperbacks at a used book store.
• Visit your local florist and purchase a plant or flower for someone a bit under the weather.
• Drop off or pick up your dry cleaning.
• Attend a drop-in Yoga or other exercise class at a locally owned studio - a great way to work off part of Thanksgiving dinner :-) 
• Don't forget E-bay.  You may get a deal and you'll support dealers who make their living doing this or people like you and me who just want to make a few dollars for their own holiday shopping.
• I'd be happy to talk with you about changes to your home decor.  Give me a call or e-mail.

Shopping local has tons of advantages.  One I notice that applies to this busy holiday weekend is location.  Most of the small local businesses are no where near the big retailers so traffic should be lighter and that makes for a much better holiday weekend.

Happy shopping and thanks for supporting my fellow small businesses.