It’s the most meaningful time of the year — Small Business Season!
This holiday season, let’s make sure every purchase has a purpose. When you choose local, you’re investing in more than a product or service. You’re powering dreams, jobs, and the places that make our community feel like home.
Think about your favorite traditions: the café with the best cocoa, the boutique where you always find that just-right gift, the restaurant where celebrations become traditions. These aren’t just stops on your holiday list. They’re the backdrop of your memories and your holidays wouldn’t be the same without them.
That’s the spirit behind Small Business Season: celebrating the people and places that make our community special.
From November 1st to December 31st, we’re honoring the heart and soul of our community—our small businesses. These special folks pour passion into every product and every smile, making our town unique and vibrant.
And this year’s theme says it plainly: Every Purchase Has a Purpose. Your local spending fuels jobs, strengthens the economy, and keeps neighbors connected. The impact doesn’t stop at the counter. It ripples across our schools, teams, and community causes.
Get ready to explore, engage, and enjoy! Watch for festive happenings and community challenges, including [add programs here].
Ready to make this holiday season extra meaningful?
This Small Business Season, we invite you to:
- Discover meaningful gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures at local boutiques, craft fairs, and artisan markets.
- Treat yourself (and your loved ones) by dining at family-owned restaurants, booking a relaxing salon service, or joining a hands-on workshop downtown (check our calendar for details).
- Amplify local: share your experiences on social media, tag your favorite businesses, and leave positive reviews. Your voice helps small businesses shine.
This holiday season, we hope every purchase has a purpose for our community. Together, we can make shopping local something you think of first. Let’s show our appreciation for the neighbors who keep our community strong.
Shop local, dine local, love local.
Igniting the Shop Local Movement: Every Purchase Has a Purpose
As a business in our town, we want to help you this holiday season. But we also need some assistance from you. As part of Small Business Season (November 1- December 31), we’re trying to bring awareness to the importance of shopping local.
Every time someone buys from a business in our town, something bigger happens than a simple transaction. Those dollars circulate through the community, supporting local jobs, funding community improvements, and creating a stronger local economy.
According to studies, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, roughly $68 stays in the community (as opposed to $43-48 when you buy online). That money helps pay employees, supports local charities and children’s programs, and keeps the lights on for other small businesses.
It’s a powerful reminder that shopping local isn’t just about convenience or sentiment. It’s an investment in our shared success.
As Small Business Season kicks off, it’s a great time to think about how your business fits into that story. Whether you run a retail store, a restaurant, a service company, or a home-based business, you play a part in shaping the local economy both as a provider of products and/or services and as a supporter of our community.
Why It Matters to You, to Us, to Everyone
It’s easy and convenient to order online but it doesn’t do as much for our community. That’s why this Small Business Season, we’re trying to educate our residents on the importance of where they spend their money. We’re asking you to help get the word out.
When people understand the impact of their purchases, they’re more motivated to support local businesses. Suddenly the convenience of hitting a button doesn’t look as appealing as the appreciation they see in your eyes.
How can you help? We have an easy way that you can start today.
Tell Your Story
You want to put a face and personality behind your business and that starts with storytelling. Share on your social media. Do a presentation for a local service club. Get your story out there!
· Your personal “why.”
· What makes your business unique.
· What you love about being local.
· How you contribute to the community.
· What your family or staff loves.
A picture of something in your business (or your holiday décor).
Why you started your business or talk about someone who helped you along the way.
What keeps you inspired.
What local causes you support and why.
A favorite business memory or that point you realized you were meant to do what you’re doing.
These personal details are what turn shoppers into loyal supporters in the same way that getting to know someone better builds the relationship.
Speaking of building relationships, here are two simple ways to start showing up in the community (and don’t be afraid to wear your branded apparel when you do):
Collaborate with nearby businesses to amplify each other’s messages about buying local. We can help you with introductions, if you need them.
Display a “Small Business Season” sign or “Chamber Member” sign and encourage customers to share photos when they visit.
The more we work together to elevate small businesses and help our residents (and visitors) understand why every purchase here has a purpose, the stronger our community becomes.
Can we count on you to be part of this message?
