Donors can receive their Christmas and other holiday gifts while also giving a boost to the local economy.
“Small Business Saturday has become America’s call to action to support the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities – our small businesses,” said Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the US Small Business Administration.
“America’s extraordinary entrepreneurs create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen our communities, shaping the unique character of neighborhoods across America.”
Supporting local businesses can also boost a community’s downtown, said Katie Meyer, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership.
“Our downtown is full of independent, locally owned businesses. These unique shops, galleries and restaurants are the backbone of the downtown experience and an economic driver for all aspects of downtown business,” Meyer said.
Shopping at small businesses during the holiday season and throughout the year means more dollars stay in the region, she said.
“It’s so important to support these small businesses on Small Business Saturday and every day because investment stays downtown, impacting the lives of workers and owners and paving the way for business growth and attraction,” said Meyer.
For every dollar spent at a small business, 68 cents stay in the local community, according to the 2022 American Express Small Business Economic Impact Study.
Throughout the Dayton region, organizations that support and promote downtown businesses are hosting special events to encourage shoppers today.
Rustic & Rooted will be participating in the Englewood Holiday Trail from 4-7 p.m., during which families can plant a Christmas cactus with their children. Other nearby businesses will also be offering free activities as Santa visits downtown.
In Dayton, the Downtown Dayton Partnership will host Shop Small Saturday with the Shop Small, Win Big offer. Partnership staff will be joined by Tommy the Real Elf and representatives from the City of Dayton from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Germantown Chamber of Commerce is holding its first-ever Germantown Jingle, a festive party that takes place between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Germantown Jingle will include activities such as shopping with local vendors for unique gifts, live music, a live woodworking demonstration, Breakfast with the Grinch at the Alleyway Cafe, a Buckeye Viewing Party for the Ohio State-Michigan football game and more.
“We are excited to launch the Germantown Jingle and create a new holiday tradition that celebrates the heart of Germantown,” said Heidi Grant, president of the Germantown Chamber of Commerce. “This event combines holiday fun with a focus on our small businesses, and we look forward to making it a memorable day for the entire community.”
Downtown Middletown Inc. will hold its Small Business Saturday events from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Governors Square Park in Middletown and throughout downtown. This experience will include shopping a gift market, a craft show, a holiday parade, horse-drawn carriages and more.
The Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce offers a retail map on its website for locating small businesses in the city. It’s at hamilton-ohio.com/map/cat/retail.
The Greater Springfield Partnership offers its own business directory for anyone looking for local businesses in the Springfield area at business.greaterspringfield.com/list.
Small Business Saturday was originally launched by American Express in 2010 in response to the Great Recession. It has been officially sponsored by the SBA since 2011. It is an important part of the busiest small business shopping season, says the SBA, noting:
- In 2023, the projected spending reported in the US by those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday was about $17 billion.
- As of 2010, total reported US spending by small businesses during the annual Small Business Saturday is estimated at $201 billion.
