With Black Friday having started the holiday shopping season, small businesses nationwide are now hoping residents will take to local stores today for Small Business Saturday.
Started in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday marks the third annual nationwide push to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
Calexico downtown merchant and Business Improvement District board member Eduardo Lopez is looking forward to the customers who will enter his 60-year-old T.C. Worthy business throughout the holiday season.
“It’s important to help local merchants because it helps the community grow more and more,” Lopez said.
In an effort to help surrounding downtown businesses, Lopez will be presenting a measure to the Calexico City Council requesting two hours of free parking for customers for the month of December; a measure that has been approved annually.
“It will help businesses and be one less thing for customers to worry about when they’re shopping this holiday season,” Lopez said.
Other small business merchants, like El Centro business owner Clark Baker, are hoping to get sizable crowds to come into their stores today.
“People should shop locally all through the year. Our money is used in the Valley and goes back into the community,” Baker said.
To kick off the holiday shopping season Baker will have a live performance today from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. by Shades of Blues outside the parking lot of Clark Baker Music at 1470 W. State St.
With a poor economy making it difficult for local businesses, this event can help promote small businesses and improve the city, Baker said.
Staff Writer Celeste Alvarez can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at calvarez@ivpressonline.com
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