Small Business Saturday is All About the Little Guy

The day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the chance to spend your money at locally owned businesses and a time when owners of local stores are hoping to cash in on the billions spent on holiday shopping.

Small Business Saturday is all about the little guy

American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. According to their website, more than 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses in each of the last years.

With the Holiday shopping season here, Small Business Saturday will be celebrated in style in downtown and across the Beaufort area with seemingly everyone on board supporting the little guy. With downtown offering some 80 shops, art galleries and boutiques and a variety of independently owned spots to grab a bite to eat, it’s the place to be to find that special gift for that special someone on your list.

Most local Beaufort businesses will offer sales, buy one get one free items, discounts, freebies and many will be hosting drawings and offering food, door prizes and more.Small Business Saturday is all about the little guy

There is something unique about being in a small town like Beaufort that pulls you toward shopping locally. Whether it’s a sense of pride, a feeling of duty or the genuine support of a friend or family member, knowing that your dollar has gone to not only a member of the Beaufort community but to a business owner you trust, makes every purchase that much more special. When you buy from an independent, locally owned business, more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms, continuing to strengthen the economic base of our community. A stronger tax base means improved schools, better roads, and greater support for our local police and fire departments.

It’s Beaufort’s people who make it all possible.  Our community has a very strong shop local movement, underscored by it’s wealth of locally-owned businesses and our strong desire to see them succeed.

Please, make it a point to shop local this holiday season. These folks are our neighbors, our friends and a huge part of the community we love.

Facts:
-For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain.
-The holiday shopping season can make up 20% to 40% of the total year’s revenue for some small businesses, depending on business type.
-Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and one of the largest in our community, providing the most jobs to residents.
-Local businesses are owned by people who live in our community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.

Support local restaurants and retail shops as you start your holiday shopping season.