Small Business Administration encourages Mainers to shop local this holiday season
The U.S. Small Business Administration Maine District Office is encouraging Mainers to shop small, shop local and dine local Saturday, Nov. 25 in celebration of Small Business Saturday® and during the holiday season. This year marks the 14th annual Small Business Saturday, held the day after “Black Friday” to help capture a larger piece of the holiday season consumer spending and help small businesses get patrons through their doors. With the holiday season approaching, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate and support Maine’s many downtown and Main Street businesses. In recognition of Small Business Saturday, the Maine District Office visited businesses in Skowhegan and Waterville to talk with them about their plans for the holiday shopping season, and how the SBA can assist them in pursuing their plans.
Over the course of the day on Nov. 16, the SBA visited businesses including Joe’s Flat Iron Café, the Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste, Key Appliance, Maine Grains, Crooked Face Creamery, and Thrifty Chic in Skowhegan along with representatives from the Skowhegan Chamber and Main Street Skowhegan. In Waterville, the group visited Friends Consignment, Main Street Provisions, Holy Cannoli, Loyal Biscuit Co., Old Soul Collective, and finished up with a stop at the Bixby Café.
“Every year our office visits businesses ahead of Small Business Saturday, and every year it is always amazing to hear about the great things going on in Maine’s downtowns and Main Streets. Whether it’s an entrepreneur kicking off the revitalization of their downtown, or a business supporting local non-profits, these stories remind us of the importance of shopping local,” said Diane Sturgeon, SBA’s district director for Maine. “And if we happen to find some great gifts and treats for ourselves along the way, that’s just a bonus.”
“As local champions of Small Business Saturday and Skowhegan’s Shop Small Week, we were thrilled to host the SBA and showcase our locally owned businesses,” said Kristina Cannon, president & CEO of Main Street Skowhegan. “Skowhegan has such a collaborative business community, and so many of our small business owners have unique and heartwarming stories to tell about how they started their business and why they chose this great community. We loved being able to share those stories with representatives from the SBA, as it highlights how special Skowhegan truly is. We hope shoppers will come out during the holiday season — and always — to support our great local businesses.”
President Biden’s Investing in America economic agenda continues to deliver for small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States has experienced a historic small business boom and the state of the economy is strong.
Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by the SBA since 2011, Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting the diverse range of local small businesses that create jobs, help boost the economy, and enhance neighborhoods nationwide. According to American Express, the projected total reported spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday last year hit a record high with an estimated $17.9 billion, and 72 percent of shoppers strongly agree they will continue to shop small throughout the holiday season because of the impact it has on their local community.
To learn more about Small Business Saturday, visit the SBA’s dedicated website at www.sba.gov/saturday.