Shop Local This Saturday

In an effort to drive shoppers to local merchants, American Express OPEN and more than a dozen other organizations have declared Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday.

The nationwide initiative is designed to “support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.” 

According to small business advocacy group The 3/50 Project, every $100 spent in locally-owned, independent stores returns $68 to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

“Small business is the engine of job creation in the US economy,” said American Express Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth I. Chenault. “It is also among the sectors hardest hit by the recession.  By spreading the word about Small Business Saturday, we can help raise awareness about the critical role small businesses play in cities and towns across the country at a time when they need support the most.” 

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined Chenault in announcing the initiative earlier this month.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the glue that holds communities together, and we’ve always sought new ways to support them -- something that became even more important when the national economic downturn began,” said Mayor Bloomberg in a released statement. “When Ken Chenault told me about his idea for Small Business Saturday, I jumped at the opportunity to participate. We’ve all heard about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, if you have the opportunity to shop on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, make it a point to visit local small businesses. It really can make an enormous difference for merchants trying to succeed.”

For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday. To learn more about Dacula area businesses, visit the Dacula Patch business directory.