November 24 marks Small Business Saturday, a day to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods across Acadia Parish, Acadiana and the USA. Nestled between Black Friday (that benefits many big box retailers) and Cyber Monday (where it’s all about online retailers), Small Business Saturday was created by American Express seven years ago in response to small business owners’ most pressing need – getting more customers during the busy holiday season.
Small Business Saturday Passports will be available this Saturday in all seventeen of our participating businesses listed below. With each stop, patrons will receive a stamp in their passport. When you visit six of our seventeen participating members, you will be entered into win one of eight $25 Chamber Cash certificates.
Participating Acadia Parish businesses:
- Boutique Forty-Six
- Brandt’s Jewelry
- Cramer Equipment & Supply Co.
- Gail’s Gifts
- Huval’s Boot & Shoe Repair
- Impact Nutrition
- Indigo Blue
- Louisiana Church Interiors
- Nestled & Company
- Peridot Boutique
- Poise & Personality
- Puddles & Lace
- Ray’s Gifts & Interiors
- Ruddock’s Bakery
- Salvador’s Jewelers & Gifts
- Shabby To Chic Salon & Spa
- The Vanilla Bean
Just in case you’re not convinced to #ShopSmall this Thanksgiving weekend, here are ten compelling reasons why you should:
- Small businesses provide 55% of all jobs and 66% of all net new jobs since the 1970s.
- More of your spending dollar stays in the local economy. When you shop local, you impact the community in which you live. A recent study revealed roughly 68 percent of revenue from small, local businesses is reinvested into a community; so for every $100 spent at your neighborhood restaurant or boutique, $68 returns to our community.
- 77% of shoppers who are aware of Small Business Saturday plan to shop next weekend. You’re already out. Why not visit a small business?
- The average cost of filling a 500 foot, mid-sized retail store nets out to $20,000, so the day-to-day costs to keep the items you care about is significant above and beyond startup costs. Want your local gift shop to keep stocking your favorites? Support them this weekend to encourage them to do so.
- Small businesses are exceptional places to work, and often pave the way with trends adopted at larger institutions, as well.
- Small businesses bring people to our communities.
- Shopping small means you are supporting those businesses that are supporting you and your community. These businesses support our schools, our non-profits and our cities. Small business owners are the lifeblood of this community, this state and this country.
- You can find unique, hand-made items with outstanding craftsmanship.
- You can talk directly to the business owner who is an expert in their craft.
- On the first Small Business Saturday, revenues for Small Businesses grew 28%, so what may seem like a small expense to you has a huge impact on a business owner.
The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses to create wealth and opportunity in our communities. Let’s all do our part to support Acadia Parish’s small businesses as they continue to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Be part of Small Business Saturday 2018 and Shop Local!
