[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the Thanksgiving holiday hitting this week, local businesses in the area prepare for the coming of Small Business Saturday.
Wedged between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday promotes local businesses and encourages shoppers to spend their money locally during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
“It’s a relatively new concept that’s been around since about 2009, I believe.” said J.R Gonzales, Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Managing Director. “It’s a way to get people to focus on and support small businesses in the area that are the backbone of the economy.”
The first Small Business Saturday was sponsored by American Express in the Boston, Massachusetts’s area, but has grown into a nationwide event that’s spread to all over the country.
“We need to remember to shop local, not just for support, but with these shops you get a unique selection, it keeps money in area, and helps the economy.” said Gonzales. “If you live in a small town where all you’ve got is Walmart, or Target, and then your mom and pop stores, but all you’re doing is shopping with the big guys, then the money goes somewhere else.”
According to Gonzales, over 95 million people nationwide participated in shopping with small/local businesses in 2015, which signified an 8 percent increase from the previous year).
Gonzales said it shows the increased interest and support in local businesses.
Gonzales also said the Buda Chamber continually works to promote small businesses, which make up 95 percent of the membership.
“Small business is big business. Over 54 percent of the businesses in the country are small businesses, and they help keep the economy going.” said Gonzales. “When you shop with small businesses, you keep money circulating in the area. That adds to the local tax base, and in turn, helps those businesses with acquiring their stock and turning a profit.”
