Like it or not, Black Friday has become synonymous with Thanksgiving, but what began as the big pre-Christmas push at national chain stores stocked with deeply discounted big-ticket items has seeped over into the Thanksgiving holiday itself.
Some chain stores opened Thursday evening instead of waiting for midnight in what some see as tainting the holiday designed to allow people to express what they are thankful for before participating in a chaotic, frenetic shopping spree to get more.
Today, though, things should be settling down on the shopping front and it’s the perfect time to refocus on sensible things, and that includes turning our eyes to locally owned shops and businesses.
Today is Small Business Saturday, and many of our area businesses are encouraging you to frequent their stores, hopefully finding bargains unable to be found in the bigger, nationally owned stores.
Ironically, Small Business Saturday wasn’t a grassroots effort started in the local arena by small business owners. It is part of a nationwide strategy developed by American Express three years ago to — according to the credit card company — help small businesses struggling in today’s economy, and numbers show it has been beneficial. Thousands of independent, locally owned businesses across the country now participate, offering their own promotions and bargains as they attempt to draw holiday shoppers.
In some parts of the country, small business owners have joined forces to offer festive events to bring in customers, while many offer promotions that extend beyond this weekend and through the holiday season.
Locally owned businesses are struggling to hold their own in this national-chain-dominated world, but there’s room for both.
So whether you’ve fought the crowds and won but still have more on your shopping list, or you’re one of those who shies away from all that Black Friday has to offer, turn your eyes to the many locally owned businesses in the Imperial Valley. You just might find what you’re looking for.
THE ISSUE:
Today is Small Business Saturday
WE SAY:
Turn your eyes to local shops
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
Some chain stores opened Thursday evening instead of waiting for midnight in what some see as tainting the holiday designed to allow people to express what they are thankful for before participating in a chaotic, frenetic shopping spree to get more.
Today, though, things should be settling down on the shopping front and it’s the perfect time to refocus on sensible things, and that includes turning our eyes to locally owned shops and businesses.
Today is Small Business Saturday, and many of our area businesses are encouraging you to frequent their stores, hopefully finding bargains unable to be found in the bigger, nationally owned stores.
Ironically, Small Business Saturday wasn’t a grassroots effort started in the local arena by small business owners. It is part of a nationwide strategy developed by American Express three years ago to — according to the credit card company — help small businesses struggling in today’s economy, and numbers show it has been beneficial. Thousands of independent, locally owned businesses across the country now participate, offering their own promotions and bargains as they attempt to draw holiday shoppers.
In some parts of the country, small business owners have joined forces to offer festive events to bring in customers, while many offer promotions that extend beyond this weekend and through the holiday season.
Locally owned businesses are struggling to hold their own in this national-chain-dominated world, but there’s room for both.
So whether you’ve fought the crowds and won but still have more on your shopping list, or you’re one of those who shies away from all that Black Friday has to offer, turn your eyes to the many locally owned businesses in the Imperial Valley. You just might find what you’re looking for.
THE ISSUE:
Today is Small Business Saturday
WE SAY:
Turn your eyes to local shops
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Send us your thoughts on this topic to www.ivpressonline.com/letterstotheeditor
