Small Business Saturday keeps the "spirit" going -

New Albany’s festive Downtown Open House sets the stage for Christmas shopping the way it “used to be,” when small town shoppers would meet their friends for leisurely shopping at businesses owned and operated by their friends and neighbors. It gets us going in the right direction for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year season. A festive time!

Here’s an idea that will keep that spirit going and greatly improve your holiday shopping experience: Avoid the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday madness at the big box stores and save your energy and money for shopping locally on Small Business Saturday, November 28th.

Small Business Saturday is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, nestled comfortably between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Small Business Saturday was begun by American Express in 2010 as a way to draw holiday shoppers to small, local stores, and is a registered trademark of American Express.

Whatever its origins, it is an appealing idea. Who would not rather shop where people know you, have what you are looking for, have knowledge of their inventory… and even gift wrap for free!

Make a day of it. Have lunch “out” at a local business, meet friends for coffee or other beverages. No need to worry about your safety or take a number and wait in line to shop. You will thank yourself for the “day of sanity.” Plus, the money you spend stays in the community where you live.

If you want to know more about the Small Business Saturday movement, simply “google” Small Business Saturday. Merchants will find lots of aids to promote the event and shoppers will find lots of reasons to support small local businesses. New Albany Main Street has info, and, of course, there is also a Small Business Saturday Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday/.