Buy Bartow, and Participate in Small Business Saturday Support local businesses on Saturday after Thanksgiving
CARTERVILLE – Cartersville Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program is urging local residents to Buy Bartow this holiday season. While important all year long, it is no secret that many people will begin their holiday shopping routines after Thanksgiving. And while Black Friday has become a national phenomenon, Cartersville DDA, as well as many other organizations and businesses across the county and entire United States, is hoping that excitement for Small Business Saturday will continue to grow into an exciting event that shoppers look forward to each year.
“Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday created in 2010 and held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, one of the busiest shopping periods of the year,” said Cartersville DDA/Main Street Manager Tara Currier. “While Black Friday has been a popular tradition for many years, the whole concept of Small Business Saturday is still growing. It’s important to support locally owned and operated businesses all year long, but as folks are headed out with friends and family the days following Thanksgiving, I hope that they will remember to shop small, and Buy Bartow. Purchases made in Bartow County help to fuel the overall economy by keeping tax dollars in our own community.”
Though spending money at any business – be it a chain restaurant or big box retailer – in Bartow County is better than driving out of county since part of the total tax amount paid stays in Bartow, the real impact can be seen when people opt to shop at the locally owned businesses (i.e. a non-franchise). When shopping at locally owned and operated business, $68 out of every $100 spent stays in Bartow County which goes to support funding for schools, local roads and public parks. In addition to helping fund the items aforementioned, money spent at locally owned and operated businesses provides salaries for the employees – for them to turn around and spend locally – and also the overall operation costs, such as water, power and gas, all of which help support the local economy.
According to American Express’ webpage for Small Business Saturday, in 2012 an estimated $5.5 billion was spent on Small Business Saturday. For towns like Cartersville, small businesses continue to grow, and retail shops continue to be one of the driving forces of the local economy. When people choose to ‘Buy Bartow,’ everyone wins, as the supported businesses are able to remain open and pay their employee’s salaries, who in turn have the money to spend in other locally owned and operated businesses.
In the historic district of downtown Cartersville there are more than 80 shops offering everything from unique gifts, delightful meals, clothing, books, toys and charming décor.
Concluded Currier, “With so many great reasons to spend money locally, and so many great places to spend money locally, why not Buy Bartow this holiday season and help support your friends and family who support our community year round?”
