Small Business Saturday

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a day dedicated to supporting local businesses. This year it falls on Saturday, November 24. Last year over one hundred million people re-discovered the streets of their hometowns and took advantage of the special deals offered to shoppers on Small Business Saturday.

Area residents in search of Christmas gifts will benefit from a stroll through all our Berkshire towns. The more people and the more businesses that get involved, the bigger and better the days will be. Small Business Saturday is becoming a community event. This is a terrific opportunity to look into that new sports store or that brightly lit boutique. Some towns have new spots where toy stores brim with colorful playthings. Saturday is one of the very best day for toy stores. Santa is watching you too!

The Berkshires boasts some of the best independent bookstores in the country. Publishers have created increasingly lavish books to hold, savor, and delight disaffected e-book pioneers. A visit to your nearest cozy bookstore provides the opportunity to linger, look and sample collections that dazzle the senses.

Last year President Barack Obama pitched in to help small businesses get into the holiday shopping season when he took his daughters along on a shopping run to a bookstore a few blocks from the White House.

Local economies grow stronger when shoppers spend gift dollars close to home. The Chamber of Commerce estimates that for every dollar spent at local businesses, $0.45 of that dollar will stay in the local community. When compared to a mere $0.13 left for your town when shopping at a “big box store,“ it is hard to ignore the importance of supporting Berkshire retailers.

Visit ShopSmall.com to find out how you can register your Amex card for a $25 statement credit! You can also learn about other ways to get involved and support your favorite local small businesses.