By Mark Scott, executive director of Market MontGOmery Chamber & Tourism • “Small Business Saturday” is Nov. 24 – two days after Thanksgiving – and offers the chance to win $500 and help the local economy while saving on Christmas shopping.
Market MontGOmery Chamber & Tourism is partnering again this year with the Montgomery Community College Small Business Center and American Express to bring you shopping deals and chances to win cash and prizes as part of “Small Business Saturday.” The event also helps our local businesses, as many saw a 50 percent increase in sales the Saturday after Thanksgiving last year compared to the year before, while some did three or four times as much business compared to the previous year.
Participating businesses will be listed on our Facebook page periodically beginning Thursday, Nov. 15, and also on the chamber website.
Here’s how to win: Go to a participating business on Saturday, Nov. 24, and register to win the $500. No purchase is necessary. You may only register once at a business; however, you may register at each participating business on Nov. 24 to increase your chances of winning the $500. Registrations will be collected and a drawing will be held the week after Thanksgiving to determine a winner. (The 2017 winner of the $500 was Mary Goodwin, who registered and shopped at the Veranda Day Spa in Mt. Gilead.)
Also, many of the participating businesses will have “Small Business Saturday” special deals and/or drawings of their own for people to win prizes. The various drawings and special sales will be listed periodically on the same Facebook page and website listed above beginning Monday, Nov. 19. Last year’s specials included things such as drawings for gift baskets, 20 percent off Christmas items, a free sandwich with the purchase of a $20 gift card, $60 gift certificates for only $50, buy one get one free on certain items, etc.
Participating businesses are chamber members. If you aren’t currently a chamber member, call (910) 572-4300 this week to join and be included in this event that is almost sure to increase your “Small Business Saturday” sales.