By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
On November 28, small businesses around Etowah County are participating in Small Business Saturday. The promotion of smaller and locally owned businesses, will take place the day after Black Friday.
Small Business Saturday offers deals, like those found on Black Friday, but often without the stress of beating the crowds at big box stores.
“The Chamber Gadsden/Etowah County is promoting Small Business Saturday for the second year in a row for our area small businesses,” said Will Mackey, Etowah/Gadsden Chamber Program Manager. “We are involved in this because we are continuously striving to be a catalyst for economic growth in our community through the promotion of our members. We believe this event is a great resource to tap in to in order to draw more attention to Etowah County and what we have to offer.”
The Gadsden/Etowah Chamber has been promoting the event on behalf of the small stores that are participating in the event
“We are helping to draw business to our area and promote our member businesses through multiple outlets this year,” said Mackey. “The Chamber is promoting this event through the use of American Express’s Small Business Saturday website, our Facebook event page, our website, local newspapers and local radio stations.”
The Shop Small campaign is a national one. The first Small Business Saturday was held on Nov. 27, 2010.
Part of the promotion is for the customers to promote where they are shopping on social media. Mackey encourages shoppers to use the hashtag #shopsmalletowah, while shopping at any local business in our area this holiday season.
Participating locations include Absolute Fitness, The Alabama Gift Company, Anderson’s Shoes and Boots, Apple A Day Health World, Attalla Antiques, B & B Pawn and Jewelry, Beauty Ovations Hair Salon, Blooms On Broad, Blossom Antiques, Candles By Stevie, The Cupboard, Divine Divas Boutique, Emma Kate’s Cottage Antique Mall, FLD Garden Shop, Footworks of Gadsden, Gadsden Outfitters, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, It’s Yogurtime, Jireh’s Boutique and Gifts, King’s Olive Oil Co., Laural E. Boutique, Maally’s Monograms and Gifts, Monogram Creations by Jorus, Nomad Homestead Supply, The Red Door Vintiques, Remona’s LaDiva Boutique, Salon Envi, Sew Irresistible, Shoe Sanctuary, Somewhere In Time Antiques & Collectibles, The Taming of the Ewe Yarn Shop, The Willow Tree (all locations) and 5th Avenue Marketplace.
These small businesses throughout Etowah County will be offering deals for as much as 50 percent off and gifts with purchases. Participation varies by location.
As well as the deals, some participants are offering refreshments and door prizes. One place is even offering hand massages to customers on Small Business Saturday.
For more information on Small Business Saturday, visit The Chamber’s Facebook page at facebook.com/etowahchamber or website at gadsdenchamber.com.