Small Business Saturday has quickly become synonymous with the first Saturday after Thanksgiving as a means to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize local businesses. This national Shop Small marketing campaign also coincides with holiday events and activities already planned in many Kentucky Main Street (KYMS) communities.
“Small Business Saturday reminds us that during one of the busiest spending times of the year, we need to invest locally with friends and neighbors, ensuring that the dollars being spent are being reinvested locally,” said Kitty Dougoud, KYMS Administrator. “When you shop with a small, independent business, which KYMS promotes throughout the year, you not only celebrate the uniqueness of your community, you also support local jobs and families.”
The Kentucky Main Street Program was created in 1979 by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office to focus on downtown revitalization and economic development within the context of preserving and reusing historic commercial buildings. KYMS requires local commitment and financial support in exchange for technical and design assistance, on-site visits, access to national consultants, and occasional grant opportunities. Currently the state program supports 37 communities.
Activities planned in KYMS communities this Saturday, Nov. 25, include Paducah Main Street’s Dickens of a Christmas, Bellevue In Vue’s annual Christmas Walk and holiday open house (Friday and Saturday), and Pikeville Main Street’s Storybook Walk. For more holiday events sure to bring cheer to your shopping experience, like and follow Kentucky Main Street on Facebook or visit Kentucky Tourism’s Kentucky Main Street holiday guide.
Small Business Saturday was launched in 2010 by American Express. According to a consumer insights survey released by the company and the National Federation of Independent Business, total reported spending last year on this one day reached an estimated $15.4 billion at independent retailers and restaurants. Kentucky Main Street can document more than $3.9 billion of investment throughout the Commonwealth over nearly four decades.
(provided by Kentucky Heritage Council)
