‘Small Business Saturday’ is a nationwide program through American Express and is associated with their Shop Small campaign.
Community organizations sign up to participate in the event that takes place the Saturday following Black Friday. The Brooksville Main Street program partnered with the City of Brooksville to participate in Small Business Saturday in which shoppers will receive a passport to 17 businesses in the city.
These businesses are offering special deals to entice shoppers. Beyond the AMEX program there are a wide variety of small businesses to support in Hernando County and Hernando Sun has covered a number of them.
Black Friday is traditionally one of the biggest shopping days of the holiday calendar. Major retailers offer deep discounts and giveaways, hoping to improve their 3rd quarter earnings and finish the year with significant profits (“in the black”). In recent years, retailers have pushed that shopping time back, staying open on Thanksgiving Day, or offering savings on products beginning in the evening.
Local businesses may not be able to offer such discounts or giveaways, but they are the backbone of a community. According to figures provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses are the reason for 55% of all jobs, employing close to eight million individuals, a remarkable figure.
Small businesses are also responsible for 40% of retail sales. When a consumer shops with a local retailer, up to 68% of the money spent will remain in the community. Local business owners pay taxes, donate to schools and charitable causes, and network with other local businesses to improve the quality of life in the county.
The Hernando Sun Newspaper covers many of these local businesses in the weekly Business Spotlight and other articles. If you are purchasing a gift for a person who seems to have everything, you might be able to find something at a local store that chances are, they don’t already have. It’s also more meaningful since many people these days can afford to buy anything you are going to buy them. If you purchase locally, it may be something they can appreciate more due to having a connection to the local area.
The Hernando County Commission acknowledged the importance of supporting these local businesses throughout the year at the 11/08/16 commission meeting. Commissioner Diane Rowden read a proclamation declaring 11/26/16 as “Small Business Saturday.” While one day is set aside to recognize how important these local businesses are, the goal is to have shoppers come back through the year to shop.
Barbara Manuel, a small business owner and member of the Brooksville Main Street program, explained how Small Business Saturday will work in downtown Brooksville. Shoppers will be presented with a “Shop Small” bag as part of a passport program. As consumers visit stores in downtown Brooksville and “up the hill,” on Small Business Saturday, they will get their shopping passport punched. Manuel stated store and restaurant owners may offer discounts or gifts. At the end of the day, there will be a drawing of fully stamped passports for a variety of prizes. The event takes place from 10AM to 3PM. Be sure to stop by the tents set up in front of the courthouse to get your passport. You can find out more at brooksvillemainstreet.org
Richard Sanvenero, Chairman of the Board of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, is also the manager of the Towne Square Mall on US 19 (formerly the location of Walmart). On Nov. 26th, the 35 businesses located in the mall will also have special events, including free pictures with Santa from 10 am – 2 pm for children and pets.
“When you buy from a small business, you are not helping a CEO get a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom put food on the table, a dad pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college,” said Sanvenero.
Here in Hernando County, we have a wide variety of local businesses in which to do your Christmas shopping. If you read some of our past Business Spotlight articles, you will find a variety of local shopping options that offer goods that cannot be found at large box stores. Also the owners of local stores are often genial and offer good conversation and friendship along with quality products.
