116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Local retailers want you to stop by Saturday
Michael Chevy Castranova
Nov. 25, 2011 11:36 am
On the day after the day after Thanksgiving, local small businesses want shoppers to think local and to think small.
The Small Business Saturday initiative asks shoppers to pledge to patronize locally owned small business on the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The concept was started by American Express last year.
“Independent retailers have holiday promotions just like big box stores, but I think Small Business Saturday is a great way for local businesses to get their holiday promotions out in a way that differs from flashy and expensive Black Friday advertising,” said Claire Richmond, marketing coordinator at Culvers Garden Center and Greenhouse in Marion.
“There is a lot of momentum around the idea,” said Catherine Champion, owner of Catherine's Boutique in Iowa City.
Cindy Pickett of Iowa City browses at december in downtown Iowa City on Monday, November 21, 2011. The store is a consignment shop with work by a wide range of area artists and craftspeople that is open only for the holiday season. Small Business Saturday is an effort to encourage shoppers to patronize locally owned business on the day after Black Friday. (Cliff Jette/SourceMedia Group)