American Express and a fleet of other corporations and government groups (see the full list on the website) are promoting the idea that on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we should all spend some of our money and time supporting locally owned businesses. Through advertising on facebook, on radio, and even on TV, the idea of Small Business Saturday is taking hold. Word of mouth is passing the idea along and twitter is abuzz.
To officially participate, a business needs to accept American Express cards. While the Happy Up stores don't take American Express, many of the small businesses in our area that we love (and bet you do, too) are participating. So we're delighted to add our voice to the growing chorus and hope y'all aren't totally shopped out yet.
Save some of that energy for tomorrow. Stop in your favorite locally owned, totally unique, favorite, fabulous, and festive small business. Buy yourself a treat, or find something to give as a gift.
By shopping with locally owned businesses, the majority of your money *stays* in the community. It helps support your schools, repair your roads, and is spent at other businesses. It creates jobs, it keeps our shopping areas vibrant and interesting, and it's sooo much more fun!
Most of the money spent at the big box stores vanishes and isn't reinvested in your community. Money spent at the big boys on the internet never returns to your community, not even in the form of sales tax.
So love a local and love your community!
This is the 2nd Neighborhood Toy Store Day, created and celebrated by ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association). The idea is to give the member stores a day to celebrate their unique contributions and role in their communities. It's also a chance to raise public awareness of the power of play. As families are pressed for time, it's easy to forget how important a little bit of game play can be to a child. And to their grown-ups. So find some time on Saturday and come play a game with us!