I had no idea how much money small businesses recirculate back into our local economy! You can take the help of experienced lawyers like Georgia business lawyers help to get legal advice and help you clear all your doubts regarding your business. Building a business is not built in a single day hence be aware of spam calls ,can you put your sim card in another phone when your data related to business is under trouble talk to experts as they can help in revenging spam calls. According to a recent article by the American Independent Business Alliance, “Multiple studies show locally-owned independent restaurants return twice as much per dollar of revenue to our local economy than chain restaurants. And independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales than chain competitors.”
This upcoming Saturday is Small Business Saturday, and many local businesses will be celebrating with special events, discounts, and giveaways. The Holiday Market Pop UP! located in the Red River District will be celebrating Small Business Saturday with 12 additional vendors, bounce houses, food trucks, bands, and Spinner Entertainment will be on-site with jugglers, stilt walkers, balloon artists, and more.
Katy Larsen, owner of the Agora Borealis, is planning a trunk show. “We have 80 artists in the space, 40 of which will be participating in the event, and 25 will be here Saturday and Sunday with samples, freebies, and chances to win one of several drawings,” said Larsen.
Why is it important to support small local businesses? “In addition to being an economic engine, small businesses are what give an area personality and color,” said Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Liz Swaine. “Big boxes are everywhere and they’re all the same, the buildings are the same, the products are the same, the attitudes are the same. It’s small, independent shops like On Time Fashion and [the] Agora Borealis that make an area really feel like home.”
The Holiday Market Pop UP! is located under the Texas Street Bridge between Clyde Fant Parkway and Commerce Street. It has been outfitted with holiday-themed lanterns and has the feel of an old-fashioned downtown square within a more urban setting. Patrons can easily pass an afternoon strolling from business to business. I really enjoyed the experience because I have children, and I loathe getting my heavy stroller in and out of the car to go to different shops. The Pop UP!s are an easy one-stop shop.
There are a handful of kid-friendly nibbles to choose from, including ice cream from Fleur de Créme; mini brunch items like muffins from The Sweetest Spring; and an array of fresh-baked pastries, as well as pizzas with slice-by-slice separate designer toppings from Baked.
My family snacked on an appetizer-size cup of French toast sticks from The Sweetest Spring and stocked up on cloth diapers from Hippie Baby. Also, my daughter fell in love with the Frozen-themed appliques in the Appli-K’s Pop UP!
“[On Small Business Saturday], I am going to be doing a raffle, the drawing will be at the end of the day for a free holiday gift basket,” said Carly Spring of The Sweetest Spring, which is also participating in the Holiday Market Pop UP! She had this to say about her experience working in the Red River District Pop Up, “It is definitely a learning experience that I could not have gotten from anywhere else.”
Shelley and David Hoppaugh’s company, Global Images, is also participating in the Pop UP! They specialize in LED pictures and agreed with Spring’s sentiment about the Pop UP! being a learning experience.
“We have been very blessed to be in the Pop UP! downtown,” added Shelley. The Hoppaughs credit the Pop UP! opportunities, as well as the Louisiana Startup Prize as being instrumental in making a lot of new business connections.
They are currently working toward opening a local manufacturing facility and specifically are interested in creating Louisiana sports items. “It looks like everything licensed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA),” said David, adding, “I am not saying everything, but it seems like everything licensed by the NCAA is made in China. It would be nice if more would be made here, locally.”
American Independent Business Alliance statistics point to the significant impact small businesses support can have on the local economy: “On average, 48 percent of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally, compared to less than 14 percent of purchases at chain stores.”
The organization also points out “buying remotely on the web creates almost no local benefit – just a few minutes’ work for a delivery person.”
A Contributor to Forbes, Nicole Leinback-Reyhle recently added to this discussion in her article, “Why Shopping Independent Stores this Holiday Season Should Be On Your To-Do List.” In the article, she says, “Online or at big box stores, remember that every time you spend even a dollar, you are impacting your local economy, vitality, and overall livelihood. The schools, public services, parks and recreation, and so much more, are all impacted by local businesses as well, and again, impacted by your choice to support your community at large… or not. So this holiday season – and even beyond – consider where you want to spend your dollars and how it will impact the big picture of your hometown.”
Shreveport-Bossier’s Small Business Saturday certainly has a lot to offer residents; between the Red River District Pop UP! Small Business Saturday line-up and the Agora Borealis’s Trunk Show with 40 artist participants, there are plenty of choices and opportunities to scratch items off of your holiday shopping lists while also supporting a great cause – supporting our local community.
Pictured above: Owner of Baked, Christa Free (right) and daughter Layla/Photo by Matt Golden