For the last eight years, our small businesses have been celebrating “Small Business Saturday,” which falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The first Small Business Saturday was sponsored by American Express in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In contrast with its counterparts “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” which host deals for die-hard shoppers at big box and online retailers, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize small, local, brick and mortar businesses.
This year, Small Business Saturday is November 24, and many of the small businesses in our community will be participating in the celebration by offering discounts, giveaways, and special events. Head to our downtowns and local stores to take in the festivities and take home unique holiday gifts for family and friends.
And don’t forget, every dollar you spend locally, supports this community. Shopping and buying local allows local businesses to thrive and reinvest their dollars in their buildings, products, employees, and other local suppliers. Also, shopping local means that a portion of your sales tax dollars help our community. Sales tax revenue helps local governments pay for services and programs, which helps to offset property taxes.
So, where can you find information about local, small businesses and Small Business Saturday deals and events? Stop by the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce’s offices at 2 State Street, Auburn, during regular business hours to pick up a free copy of the Community Guide & Member Directory, which lists Chamber Member businesses by category and can help you plan your local holiday shopping adventures. Also, check out the Citizen’s Holiday Gift Guide for plenty of ideas, coupons, and special promotions. Check out the events pages of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism or the Auburn Downtown B.I.D. Visit the social media page or website of your favorite local store, restaurant, or business. Look for #ShopLocal or #ShopCayuga trends on social media for buzz about the event.
Even if a local business isn’t participating, visit them anyway. You might discover a new favorite treat or product made right here in Cayuga County. The positive effects of local spending aren’t exclusive to promotions or to Small Business Saturday. They happen every day, all year round, with every purchase.
Shop local, shop small, shop Cayuga County!
