Small Business Saturday is almost upon us – Saturday, November 25, 2017, and I’m writing to encourage residents of the North End to support our local businesses that day.
Local stores are the lifeblood of a community. Not only do they add culture and a rich tapestry of unique experiences to our neighborhood, they play a large role in stimulating the local economy. They employ residents of the community, providing jobs that otherwise wouldn’t be readily accessible those living in the North End. They also bring growth and innovation to the community through their creativity, energy and unique offerings.
When we shop at small businesses, not only are we supporting owners who live in our community, we are also essentially giving money back to our neighborhood. And, according to the United States Small Business Association, small businesses have generated 64 percent of new jobs, and paid 44 percent of the total U.S. payroll. Small businesses, in fact, make a big impact on our economy.
Small Business Saturday was created to celebrate and support these integral parts of our community. By holding the annual event on the Saturday after Christmas, the aim is to bring some of the holiday shopping traffic to the doorsteps of local stores. According to the official Small Business Saturday website, last year’s day brought an estimated $15.4 billon dollars of business to local shops, and motivated 112 million shoppers to support local that day.
We’re lucky to live in a neighborhood that boasts many high-quality small businesses. Many of the restaurants in the North End are owned by local residents and families, so they would be a perfect place to dine out on Small Business Saturday. We are home to a host of locally-owned fitness studios, including BTone Fitness on Salem Street and My Stryde on Hanover Street, so you could support a local business and get in a great workout on November 25. Lastly, we are surrounded by unique, locally-owned boutiques, including Heart & Sole (Hanover Street), Ensemble (Baldwin Place) and Shake The Tree (Salem Street), all of which are the perfect places to get your holiday shopping accomplished – and maybe find something for yourself, too!
So, this Small Business Saturday, I encourage you to explore your neighborhood, support your community, and shop local.
