{photo via Jackstraw}
Small Business Saturday may be an American Express holiday meant to eke more pennies from retailers with higher percentages, but it's heart is in the right place. Small is big — supporting independently operated and/or local stores is more than just a trend, but a means necessary to survive in a volatile retail climate.
In 2008, well before Fashion Night Out or Small Business Saturday, we developed City Stimulus: the first city-wide shopping event to generate this same kind of enthusiasm in Seattle. Four years later, three of our favorite participating local retailers — Jackstraw, Far 4, and A Mano — have combined efforts on Small Business Saturday to illustrate what neighborly love looks like.
Sustainability is not just about the foods you eat or purchasing local and organic produce. It’s also about the social, cultural, and economic success of the community. Today, we applaud American Express' efforts and hope you're willing to go big by shopping small.
UPDATE 11.26.12: According to this report in USA Today, anecdotal evidence indicates Small Business Saturday is really catching on.
