Shop Local, Shop Small – Small Business Saturday Kick-Off

Last year more than 95 million consumers spent $16.2 billion on Small Business Saturday.

In an effort to increase activity between local retailers and consumers, GO Topeka’s Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development will kick off this year’s Shop Small campaign. To encourage our community to shop local, shop small as they prepare for the holidays, Mayor Larry Wolgast will read a proclamation for Small Business Saturday, followed by a Hot Chocolate Kick Off. This event, open to the public, will be held Friday, November 4th, 9:30 a.m., on the Brookwood Shopping Center Terrace.

“Everyone should be thinking big and shopping small this holiday season,” stated Glenda Washington, vice president of EMBD, “small businesses make up such an integral piece of our economy, and through events such as Small Business Saturday, we’re able to tell some of their stories while making a huge impact to their business, ultimately affecting our overall economic landscape.”

Shoppers can pick up passports at participating stores to enter a drawing for a “shop local” gift basket containing gift cards and items from local area merchants.  Shoppers will visit eight small businesses in Shawnee County to get their passport stamped or signed.  Two winners will receive gift baskets from participating merchants including Fairlawn Mall, NOTO, Downtown, Westboro and Brookwood Shopping Center.  The deadline to enter is November 28th.

There will be a feature page in The Topeka Capital-Journal listing small businesses participating in this year’s Small Business Saturday directory.  To register your business, go to www.bit.ly/TopCitySmallBiz.