Shopping Local, Shopping Community as Small Business Saturday Nears

With the busiest shopping season just around the corner, as Black Friday arrives, supporters of local businesses are hoping consumers will help with a national movement to shop local.

This Saturday is dedicated to the second annual Small Business Saturday.

Throughout the nation, locally owned businesses declined from 59 percent in 1990 to 48 percent in 2009, according to a report conducted by American Express OPEN Independent Retail Index.

To fight against the decline, American Express is offering incentives to people that shop local this Saturday. Card members who spend $25 or more at qualifying small businesses can earn a $25 statement credit.

More than 2 million people “like” the national event’s Facebook page and have joined the movement to shop local.

Tony Yates, director of the Menomonee Falls Community Chamber always says, “Remember your ABCs - Always buy community, always buy chamber.”

Local shops like Shelley’s Hallmark in Menomonee Falls and Sussex Country Floral Shoppe in Sussex rely on the local community for business and in return add value to the local economic state.

Karen Figarino, a 15-year employee of Shelley’s Hallmark and Lisbon resident, is a walking example of how local businesses support the community. Small businesses provide jobs and keep a community attractive.

“Supporting local businesses is a great thing for the community,” Figarino said. “It’s a very good thing. It keeps our community thriving.”

Besides the unique and local food and merchandise small businesses offer, local businesses also offer convenience and stability.

“Small businesses really do care and get involved with the community,” Yate said. “It’s very linked.”

Randall Hoth, president of the Better Business Bureau, said the bureau also supports small locally-controlled businesses because the owners often work directly with consumers and have a deep investment in the community.

Hoth said 90 percent of Wisconsin businesses that are accredited with the Better Business Bureau and pledge to uphold its code of ethics are small business owners with 25 or fewer employees.

“I think it’s a huge thing for the consumer to know that you’re doing business face to face with an owner that cares about your business,” Hoth said. “They’re the ones pledging to do the right thing for their customers.”