Small Business Saturday – November 30, 2013Small Business Saturday – November 30, 2013

Back in 2010, the American Express Company started advertising a ‘small business Saturday’ on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  The general idea was to use your American Express cards and patronize the local ‘Main Street’ businesses, rather than shopping at a big box store.  It was quite successful.

Since then, there have been a number of other ‘small business Saturdays’ at other times of the year.  With that history in mind, we now have another such day coming up on November 30^th.  Being in real estate, I see that there are many factors that keep a community strong and vibrant.  And honestly, nothing makes me madder than scraping off every penny by shopping online providers.  If your local business district isn’t healthy, your community is suffering. If your community is suffering, your schools will suffer, your property values will suffer, and a downward trend has been formed.

I make a point of shopping locally. Sometimes I pay a few pennies more for an item and I’m OK with that.  I’d rather do that than see empty storefronts on Main Street.  The trade-off in service, return policies, and attention certainly make up for the small premium I pay when I shop local. And that’s not to say that there’s always a premium. Many local businesses will match prices – especially if you ask.

 So here’s my request to you.  This year, on Saturday, September 30^th, be sure to do some shopping at your local small businesses.  Maybe it’s a jeweler, a specialty shop, or a boutique.  Maybe it’s a wine store, a meat market, or a bakery.  If you value that kind of diversity in your local community – support it. I’ll give up a $5 specialty coffee once a week to spend a few extra bucks at a small local business. How about you?