Small businesses are getting a promotion boost through a national campaign by American Express that teamed up with the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce to promote “Shop Small Saturday”.
Jerri de Pingre’, chamber executive director, says this campaign is the perfect way to promote small, locally-owned businesses as the Christmas shopping season begins this weekend. Set for Saturday, Nov. 28, she says it does not just include businesses downtown. They are all over the community, she said.
Jerri de Pingre’, right, President of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce hands out ‘Shop Small Saturday’ promotional items to Fannette’s manager Whitney Floyd and Cindy Calhoun. Bruce Franklin/Press-Herald
“I thought it would be a great way to help our retail businesses, our small businesses to bring back some of that Christmas shopping that we’re losing to out of town,” she said. “That was my motivation. This is a way to get those people to come back and shop locally on this designated day.”
She likes this campaign for two reasons, she said. Minden businesses get national exposure, and it gives the chamber an opportunity to help their members in a small way.
“It’s a national promotion sponsored by American Express,” she said. “Chambers of commerce, economic development, any entity can go online and apply to be a facilitator for Shop Small Saturday. It’s a national program, so it’s a designated day all over the country.”
Businesses promoted through the chamber in this program include Say Baby, Easley’s
Photography and Fine Arts, Beyond the Alley Boutique, Minden Embroidery, Antiques and Art on Main, Sunni’s Tanning, Gorilla Tech, Fannette’s Flowers and Gifts, Belle of the Bal’, Pink Pratique, AJ Price, South Beach Tanning, Minden Floral, TG Garden and Gifts and Southern Sass.
Ann Demaline, administrative assistant at TG Garden and Gifts, assists Linda Miller, designer, with a Christmas wreath of holly berries in preparation for Shop Small Saturday. TG Garden and Gifts will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday. Michelle Bates/Press-Herald
Businesses promoted downtown through the DBA Minden in this program include Bobbie’s Hobbies, City Art Works, Gray’s Jewelry, Heavenly Treasures, Hers Bridal and Special Occasions, 2 Lucky Vapor, Merle Norman in Minden, Sew Blessed Stitches and The Vault.
de Pingre’ says they are promoting their member businesses every way they can.
“If the stores use all the materials provided, it could be a good way to help generate interest and get people through their doors,” she said. “The nice thing about this is it’s free. Nobody had to pay anything for any of this.”
Shop Small Saturday is generally on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Last year, according to figures from American Express, $14.3 billion was spent in small businesses on Shop Small Saturday.
American Express began sponsoring Shop Small Saturday in 2010.