MONTPELIER, Vt. – Many small businesses throughout Vermont will be participating in the eighth annual Small Business Saturday two days after Thanksgiving.
Wedged between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010 to increase spending at independent retail stores.
“We are inviting everyone during this holiday shopping season to Shop Small and Dine Small on Small Business Saturday. It's a day to celebrate and support the local small businesses that make our communities unique and which support us all year long with goods and services as well as charity contributions and volunteering. Please visit Vermont's small businesses on Small Business Saturday to see and touch all the new things on display at your favorite stores and try some new stores too, said Darcy Carter, Small Business Administration Vermont District Office director.
Helping lead that charge is Vermont’s lone congressman. The past few years Rep. Peter Welch has shopped the downtowns of Burlington and Montpelier, and this year he visited Rutland. On Monday, Welch held a press conference at Home Alternatives, a furniture and mattress store, along with Rutland Mayor David Allaire, and members of the Rutland Regional Chamber of Commerce, the SBA and other local representatives to stress the importance of the annual shopping event.
After the press conference, Welch walked along the city’s sidewalks stopping into Fruitions, Phoenix Books and Frogs and Lily Pads to shop. Welch said it’s important to shop locally because it supports entrepreneurship and sustains vibrant downtowns.
Small Business Saturday has an effect on local economies. Spending at independent retailers and restaurants throughout the U.S. on Small Business Saturday has grown from $5 billion in 2012 to $15.4 billion in 2016, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
“Small businesses are the engine of our national economy. We now have in the United States about 30 million small businesses. About half of all American workers are either employed by a small business or own a small business. Everyone wants businesses to grow and for people to be employed. Shopping small on November 25 supports these men and women who create the foundation for strong, successful small businesses,” said Linda McMahon, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Vermont has approximately 77,500 small businesses, which accounts for 99.1 percent of all businesses in the state. The states small businesses employ about 156,000 people, or 60 percent 59.8% of the private workforce, according the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy annual report.