Small Business Saturday

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2010

I  don't know if you've heard of this yet... but I think it 's a GREAT idea, and today I plan to stop by one of my favorite local quilt shops to do my part...

I believe that if everyone started devoting a larger portion of their normal shop shopping budget away from the big boxes to a local shop, we'd all be soooo much better off! 

See you at The Quilt Store, Honey Bee, or Ginger's Needlework in Austin today - I'm not sure if I'll make them all, but I'll give it a good try! 

For more details:

http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/

Here's the scoop:

The day after Black Friday will now be known as Small Business Saturday, where the focus will be on Christmas shopping at small businesses all over the country. Small businesses, especially in this part of the country are very important to our local economy. In fact, small businesses are the backbone of the entire country’s economy. The mom and pop stores across the nation account for over 70 percent of merchants and retailers. Spread the idea of seeking out and supporting our favorite independent shops this weekend!

Here's What Happens When You Shop Local

You keep dollars in our economy.  (a retail study explained that if even half of the employed population spent a mere $50 a month each, at any 3 independently-owned stores - instead of at the big box/chain stores, this economy would turn around in the blink of an eye!     AND ... You can save a business from closing!  (this same study further explained that if you spend minimum $12.00 a week at each of 3 favorite independently-owned retailers, those 3 businesses would be saved from closing.)

1. You embrace what makes us unique.
2. You create local jobs.
3. You help the environment.  (buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging)
4. You nurture community.  (studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains)
5. You conserve your tax dollars.  (These taxes go to building our infrastructure, salaries, education and funding police and fire departments.
6. You create more choice. (your local business picks the items we sell based on what we know you like and want.)
7. You take advantage of our expertise. (we're passionate about what we do. Why not take advantage of it?)
8. You invest in entrepreneurship (creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon)
9. You make a destination. (the more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests - this benefits everyone)