As the holiday season approaches, Colusa County residents are reminded to shop local as much as possible.
Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is held each year on Thanksgiving weekend.
“Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to support local businesses by shopping small,” said Colusa County Chamber of Commerce Manager Jennifer Diaz.
American Express launched the shopping day in 2010 to help redirect holiday shopping to local stores.
The U.S. Senate recognized Small Business Saturday with a resolution the following year. A decade later, Small Business Saturday is observed throughout the U.S.
Why should consumers shop locally?
According to American Express, for every dollar spent at a small business, an estimated 67 cents stays in that business local community.
Some of the businesses open Thanksgiving weekend are gearing up to make Small Business Saturday a more enjoyable shopping experience for Colusa County residents.
Instead of Black Friday, Kittle’s Outdoor and Sport Co. is celebrating Small Business Saturday with a storewide sale.
Colusa Floor Covering will also be open, along with Messick’s Ace Hardware.
The Bookworm, located at 440 Market St. will be open, as will The Mercantile (Pioneer Review), 430 Market St., which offers a variety of Colusa County products, including D&P Jalapeno Jelly, Granzella’s olives and garlic, and locally grown Ambriz Honey and Black Shire Almonds, all of which make great Christmas gifts.
The Mercantile is also where residents can pick up official Colusa County historical ornaments to help complete a set or replace a broken ornament from year’s past. Ornaments still available at the Mercantile include the Colusa County Courthouse, Maxwell Opera House (American Legion), Sycamore Christian Church, Grimes Boy Scout Cabin, Hall of Records, Arbuckle Train Depot, Stonyford Town Hall, Williams Arch, Ornbaun-Gibson Ranch, and Sacramento Northern Railway. Ornaments are $7 or three for $20.
Almost daily, the local Chamber of Commerce has been blasting important messages about the importance of shopping at local businesses, especially during the holidays.
“Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s welfare and future,” Diaz said. “When you purchase at locally owned businesses, rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers, and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base.”
In addition to shopping at local stores throughout Colusa County this holiday weekend, the Chamber reminds citizens that eating at local restaurants is also a great way to support the local economy. ■
