By Jennifer Giering
President
Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Saturday is a nationwide campaign to spur business for local merchants the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce was selected to partner with American Express and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to promote the campaign.
American Express created the concept in 2010 to help small businesses get more exposure between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. More than 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses on that day.
Using social media to promote giveaway locations, the Dearborn Area Chamber distributed $25 American Express Gift Cards to customers throughout the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights community to increase exposure and drive traffic to these local establishments. The promotion started November 18 and culminated with giveaways at several locations Saturday, Nov. 24.
Small business success is critical to the nation’s overall economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States last year, and over the past two decades, they’ve created 65 percent of new jobs.
Their importance to local communities extends even further. According to the small business advocacy group The 350 Project, for every $100 spent in locally-owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.
Continue to Shop Small this Christmas! We have bicycle shops and ski stores, bakeries and gift shops and wonderful specialty stores including Sophia’s Giftique, Village Picture Frame & Art Gallery, Steven Bernard Jewelers, Merchants Fine Wine, Brightly Twisted and online store Design Turnpike. While decorating your home for the holidays remember English Gardens, Ken Baron’s Florist & Gifts or Studz Hardware for your tree and trimmings! The options in your neighborhood are endless!
There are two great Shop Small opportunities this weekend. The Glass Academy is hosting its annual Holiday Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, and Sunday, Dec. 2, and Om Spa is hosting its Holiday Shopping event from noon to 7 p.m. Dec 2 with great deals you won’t want to miss.
The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to the growth of small businesses in our community. To find other small businesses in the area, go to www.DearbornAreaChamber.org.