Small Business Saturday – the Saturday after Thanksgiving – was created by American Express in 2010 to raise awareness of the impact of small businesses on communities. The event grows each and every year. In 2015, shoppers spent $16.2 billion on Small Business Saturday, an improvement of 14% from 2014, in accordance with the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
It’s actually a great reason to explore a whole new corner of your neighborhood and find ways to get active in the community. Below are a few businesses to be certain to check out.
Stops To Consider this Small Business Saturday
1. Coffee shop
Look beyond Starbucks and discover an independently-owned spot for joe. Grab the local paper, stick around and visit with neighbors. If there’s a community bulletin board, see what types of groups meet along with what types of events are advertised.
2. Book store
Independent bookstores often have shelves featuring local best sellers, as well as the New York Times’ list. See what the locals are reading! Need assistance finding a store? Check out this search feature from Indiebound.org.
3. Thrift shop
These are often operated by local nonprofits, so you might get a chance to chat with volunteers that are invested in the neighborhood.
4. Toy store
Not only can you relive your childhood, an independent toy store is an excellent spot to learn about family events in the neighborhood.
5. Your new favorite bar
Surely you’ll need a refreshment after all that shopping. Independent restaurants and bars with “Shop Small” signs (which signals they’re participating in Small Business Saturday) will probably have happy hour specials. In addition to checking out the cocktails, talk with your server about the regular crowd and the live music scene.
And don’t forget: Each RE/MAX office is locally owned and operated, which means they’re small businesses, too! If you’re local office is taking part in Small Business Saturday, drop by and say hello. And when it is time to buy or sell a home, consider working with Nick & Cindy Davis with RE/MAX Premier Group, we have assisted hundreds of our clients here in the Tampa Bay and Surrounding areas. We are always just a click here or call to 813-300-7116 away.
