Abandon madness of Black Friday for small business shopping Saturday

By Maria Lockwood

mlockwood@

superiortelegram.com

Black Friday is here. But there’s another, lesser known day ahead. Small Business Saturday, which takes place tomorrow, encourages shoppers to bypass the mega sales and visit the smaller stores run by neighbors and friends.

“Shop the big box stores, sure, than go support local businesses,” said Tami LaPole Edmunds, co-owner of Art in the Alley.

Local shop owners are offering special discounts and deals to capitalize on the national event. Discoverpc.NET at 1402 Tower Ave. is offering a free computer check up Saturday only. Purchase a $50 gift card and receive $10 free at Serenity Spa & Salon. A $25 purchase at Art in the Alley, 916 Hammond Ave., will net shoppers a free tree ornament. Get 15 percent off everything at Earth Exchange, 1713 Belknap St., and 20 percent off storewide at Northwoods Music, 1606 Tower Ave.

The specials will stretch across the city, along Tower Avenue, down Belknap Street and throughout the Old Commerce and Trade Building, 916 Hammond Ave.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community,” said Kaye Tenerelli, executive director of the Superior Business Improvement District. “They’re our neighbors.”

Over the last two decades, small and new businesses have been responsible for creating two out of every three net new jobs in the U.S., according to Karen G. Mills, administrator of the Small Business Administration, and today over half of all working Americans own or work for a small business.

Dollars spent at local businesses are more likely to impact the local economy in the form of direct costs like payroll and operating costs as well as the recirculation effect as the business spends money at other area businesses.

Recent economic impact studies of 10 cities, including Milwaukee, showed on average, spending at local businesses generates 3.7 times more direct local economic benefit than spending at chains, according to the American Independent Business Alliance.

Tenerelli urged shoppers to stop by Superior’s small businesses during Saturday’s national event.

“They’ll find great merchandise,” she said, and store owners and employees ready to help.

Tags: news, money, business, family