SOUTHWICK – Residents and people in the community of Southwick and the surrounding hilltowns will have the opportunity tomorrow to take part in Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday is a one-day nation-wide event started by the American Express corporation in 2010 that takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and encourages holiday shoppers to buy locally. According to American Express, since 2010, customers have spent a total of $85 billion at independent retailers and restaurants. It’s also noted that 90% of consumers that completed a survey from American Express said that Small Business Saturday had a positive impact on their community.
Locally, Michael McMahon, a member of Southwick’s Economic Development Commission, has said that businesses in town have taken part in the event by providing free shopping bags for the customers.
Businesses throughout College Hwy in Southwick could benefit from Small Business Saturday. (WNG File Photo)
McMahon believes that the event on Saturday gives the small businesses the opportunity to market and promote their businesses, which is something they may not have time to do the rest of the year.
“They’re running their day to day business,” said McMahon.
Rather than people going outside of their community to the mall or to national retailers, and having the profit going somewhere else across the country, the public can spend their money at a local business who hires local people and pays taxes that goes back into the town.
“Why not spend a few bucks locally with a local owner?” said McMahon.
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce applies every year to become a neighborhood champion, which is part of Small Business Saturday. Neighborhood champions began in 2011 to allow business associations, non-profits, and other organizations to support the small businesses in their communities with events and activities on Small Business Saturday. According to American Express, in 2013, more than 1,400 people and organizations registered as Neighborhood Champions. In 2017, it was reported that there were more than 7,200 Neighborhood Champions across all 50 states.
Every year, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce sends out a notice to all of the chamber members and provides them with materials for Small Business Saturday.
“It’s an opportunity for them to engage in this event, but we want the consumers, we want the public to go out and shop,” said Kate Phelon, the Executive Director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. “That’s the message that’s needed to get out.”
Phelon also mentioned that the chamber holds quarterly meetings in Westfield with small businesses and will already be working on the next Small Business Saturday in January.
“We want the businesses to get engaged with the planning process,” said Phelon.
Tucker’s Restaurant in Southwick is one small business hoping that the event brings in customers on Saturday. Tucker’s is doing a shop small gift card promotion through Saturday. When someone goes into Tucker’s and purchases a $50 gift card, they receive an additional $10 complimentary gift card.
“People in town who aren’t typically in town for the holidays, they can buy it for the family members here,” said Karen Anderson, a co-owner of Tucker’s Restaurant.
The Daily Grind, a small coffee shop in Southwick, participated in Small Business Saturday in the past, noted that they’ve had more success with Black Friday, but hope Saturday is a success.
“It’d be nice if it did produce some traffic,” said Denise Blackburn, the Manager of The Daily Grind.
Blackburn added that the small coffee establishment is unlike the coffee chain stores, as they have premium coffee that’s specific towards certain consumers.
“The customer will really need to have what they want in here,” said Blackburn.
If anyone would like to get involved with Small Business Saturday moving forward, click on the How to Participate tab on the Small Business Saturday website.
