The Day When Being Small is Big Deal

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two of the largest retail shopping days of the year. I’ve turned a blind eye to my friends and family who frantically search through sale notices and comb their email inboxes for deals at major national retailers.

Instead, for the last six years I’ve chosen to participate in a different kind of shopping tradition called Small Business Saturday. This year, on November 26, you’ll find me along with millions of other shoppers on main streets across the country supporting locally owned small businesses. In 2014, an estimated $14.3 billion was spent at small, independent businesses on Small Business Saturday – that’s a big deal to small businesses!

In Winter Park, we’re kicking off the Shop Small season on Thursday, November 17, with Sip, Stroll and #ShopSmall. This special edition of the popular Sip, Shop & Stroll series invites attendees to explore the merchants in downtown Winter Park and enjoy appetizer and beverage pairings along the way. Tickets and details are available at www.winterpark.org. Admission includes a wine glass, lanyard and #ShopSmall tote with swag and shopping discounts.

Your support of local, small businesses helps create jobs, power the economy and invigorate the community. Learn more at www.shopsmall.com.