Shop Better, Shop Smart, Shop Local!

The thrill (and anxiety) of Black Friday is becoming a thing of the past. More and more retailers are offering Black Friday deals and sales throughout the entire month of November. If you crave an old fashioned day of shopping galore, consider Small Business Saturday. You'll be glad you did. For every $100 spent in a local business, an average of $68 remains in the local economy. 

Did you know Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Expess? Observed in the United States since 2010, each year it falls in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday became so successful, it started in the UK in 2013, falling on the last Saturday of November. Hashtags #smallbusinesssaturday, #smallbizsaturday and #shoplocal can be found on social media throughout the year. 

What does the perfect day of a Small Business Saturday outing look like? Wake up early and take a group class at your locally owned fitness studio. As you head home, stop by a family-owned coffee house for some well-deserved pastries and home brew. When you are ready to shop, don the cozy winter coat you purchased at your favorite local clothing boutique. Don't forget your list of needed gifts, including a few ideas for yourself. Now the fun part - shop til you drop. No big box stores for you today. It is all about the family-owned stationery, gift, candle, book, tea, wine, children, bakery and clothing boutiques for you. Don't forget to lunch at the family-owned diner and enjoy a celebratory post-shopping warm beverage at the local pub or wine bar. 

If you are being financially conservative, you can still support the cause. Tech-savy window shoppers can live-stream while browsing showing off your favorite items. Post photos of your shopping finds, tagging the shop location and using their hashtag. If you know the business owner, grab them for a selfie and detail why you love their shop and staff. Does your favorite local business donate any profits to local charity? Highlight that generous significance in your photo and post. You too can share the love without breaking the bank. 

Please consider shopping at an OPRF Chamber of Commerce member business. Doing so means you are throwing support behind a business that is one-hundred percent invested in the success of the entire local business community. Like you, they grew up here, they live here, their kids go to school here, they worship here, eat here, shop here, etc. Just like you. 

For all of your holiday needs and all year round, please refer to the Chamber list of local businesses, listed HERE. You'll be glad you did.