Small business Saturday takes place Nov. 25

Shoppers are encouraged to shop local during the third annual Small Business Saturday Nov. 25.

“It is a nationwide initiative started by American Express, I think in 2010, and has been an effective program to show support for small businesses,” said Catherine Edgemon, Perry Main Street coordinator. “The Downtown Merchants Association and Main Street Board thought it was a good program to adopt here, and it’s been growing steadily each year.”

This year marks the third observance of the event, and 19 businesses will participate, she said.

Downtown shoppers are encouraged to stop by the welcome tent at Roughton Park in order to pick up a shopping passport and “Shop Small” tote while supplies last.

“People who want to participate in this promotional activity can pick it up at the welcome tent or participating merchants,” Edgemon said. “They go to a store, get a sticker, and once they have the required number, they can drop off the passport to be entered into a drawing to win 300 downtown dollars.”

Downtown dollars are gift certificates from Perry Downtown Merchants Association members. Only members accept the dollars.

Downtown dollars are the same value of regular dollars in participating stores, so if a shopper sees an item marked as $20, he or she can pay with either cash or their downtown dollars. However, downtown dollars cannot be traded for cash.

“They do not have to use it all at one business,” Edgemon said. “Each business will keep up with receipts so they can be reimbursed, and shoppers can use that (downtown dollars) at multiple locations until they’re all spent.”

Edgemon said people with a passport must visit 12 participating businesses to collect a sticker, but purchase from each business is not

necessary.

“The whole idea with the passport is encouraging people to go into stores, possibly one they’ve never been in. Once they get in there, they see the inventory the business owner has,” Edgemon said. “They may not make a purchase that day, but they may realize the business has the item they’re looking for and they may go back to that business. Or, somebody at the office said they need such and such, and another person says they can get it in Downtown Perry.”

The goal of the passport is to heighten awareness of what Downtown Perry has to offer, Edgemon said. In that respect, the goal of the passport promotion has been successful, she added.

“I’m just really excited about the event and looking forward to it because of the stores downtown and maybe someone will go into a new business they haven’t seen yet,” Edgemon said. “Hopefully people will go downtown and support these businesses downtown.”

Michelle Rhoades, president of the Perry Downtown Merchants Association and owner of Mossy Creek Natural, said Small Business Saturday has become an entity unto itself.

“The shop local movement is huge. It’s bringing awareness to folks who normally shop big businesses and brings awareness of local mom and pop businesses,” she said.

Rhoades said that most of the participating businesses are located on Carroll Street; however, there are other businesses on other downtown streets also participating, such as Central Computer Services, the Antique Theater and Collections by Lynn.

“More than 75 percent of the businesses are women owned and operated, and money the businesses earn goes to support local causes, such as buying band instruments for local bands,” Rhoades said. “People put that money back into the local economy when they shop local, and the whole movement is to bring this to the forefront.”

Rhoades said that when her store first started, Small Business Saturday almost doubled the business she had done.

“That’s huge because it’s the kickoff for the holiday season. It’s such a big source of income, and people can come into our stores and see how unique our items are and our clothes are.”

Rhoades said that of the annual income, some businesses will earn 33 percent of the money it makes all year from the Christmas shopping season in November and December. She said that many local businesses will offer holiday discounts.

“A lot of businesses are offering specials, giveaways and discounts, from what I understand,” Rhoades said. “There are specials going on, too.”

By shopping local, residents can be certain their money is going back into the local economy.

“The whole shop local this season, people can ensure their money goes back into the economy as opposed to big box stores in another city,” she said. “We hope people will come out and see what we have downtown. It’s just a way for us to promote the downtown area.”

Most participating shops will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Passports participants should turn in their passports at the last business they visit. The passports will be collected and eligible for a drawing to win 300 downtown dollars.

The Perry Farmers’ Market will also be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. For more information on the event, hosted by the Perry Downtown Merchants Association and Perry Main Street Advisory Board, visit www.shopdowntownperry.com.

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