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Remember to shop local on Small Business Saturday
SIKESTON — As shoppers look for Christmas gifts this weekend, they are encouraged to shop locally not just this Saturday, but also during the holiday season and all year long to ensure they find the perfect gifts and have an impact on their communities.
The Sikeston Regional Chamber, the Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Historic Downtown Sikeston have teamed up to promote Small Business Saturday, the day following Black Friday, and to encourage people to purchase locally for the holidays.
“It’s so important to remember to shop locally, especially during the holidays when people are doing the bulk of their shopping,” said Taylor Deere, membership and program director for Sikeston Regional Chamber. “These local businesses make up who we are as a community, so to shop with them and support them is to support Sikeston.”
Jason Davis, executive director for Historic Downtown Sikeston, said there are many benefits to shopping at local businesses during the holidays.
“Shopping local means you are able to have that personal touch before the purchase and that great, continual service after the purchase,” Davis said. “Shopping local means helping the small business owner care for their family. Shopping local means you are receiving that expertise that only a small business can provide.”
Small Business Saturday is a day devoted to promoting and supporting small businesses and communities across the United States. This day, founded by American Express in 2010, is celebrated annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
According to Davis, shopping local leaves a significant impact and ultimately strengthens the economic base of the community.
“Local businesses are owned by people who live in the community and who are more invested in the future of the community,” Davis said.
Deere agreed that local shopping leaves a significant impact and said small business are important to the local economy and are a quality of life.
“Our small business owners offer excellent customer service and product knowledge, so having their stores in our community is so important to who we are,” Deere said.
Deere said the Chamber is trying something new this year with a “Shop Small to Win it All Receipt Raffle.” The Chamber is collecting any local receipts dated Nov. 25 through Dec. 9 and placing them in a bowl for a drawing to win back what they spent—up to $100.
“Stop by the Chamber officer during regular business hours with those receipts and be sure to get them in before our Dec. 10 drawing for a chance at winning back some holiday cash,” Deere said.
Small Business Saturday, according to Brooke Buchanan, owner of Personal Expressions in Historic Downtown Sikeston, will be a special day of sales, ornament drawings for extra discounts and drawings for giveaways.
According to Buchanan, shopping at small businesses keeps people employed locally and provides excellent customer service.
“It’s important to celebrate and shop with small businesses,” said Buchanan. “People can feel comfortable shopping and know that their purchases are made by honest and reputable people.”
J&E Wholesale Outlet in Sikeston is also running specials this weekend, including Black Friday deals. Ellie Collom, owner of J&E Wholesale Outlet, said they will have many items priced 50 percent or more below retail, including tools, kitchen, toys, electronics, food and more.
Collom said supporting small businesses is critical because customers help to cycle money back into their community.
“Local small businesses also support charities and other local businesses, which helps stimulate the local economy,” Collom said. “Local, local, local—that’s the key word here. You’re money is spent here and stays here.”