Supporting Small Business Saturday & Shopping Local this Holiday Season

The holiday season is right around the corner and many individuals are already thinking about all the gifts they want to purchase for their loved ones this year and the endless Black Friday deals. However, this year has been very difficult for many businesses, especially small businesses. With Small Business Saturday approaching on November 28, now is a great time to consider shopping local this holiday season to help those small, mom-and-pop shops in your community that may need a helping hand during this time. 

Why Support Small Business?

Small businesses make up approximately 99.7 percent of all U.S. businesses so it is safe to say that small businesses make our economy go round. When you support a local small business you are also contributing to your local economy and community. The money that you give to these businesses stays in your community and goes directly back to local business owners and their employees. This helps to maintain local jobs and enables businesses to flourish. On top of this, local businesses are more likely to donate to local nonprofits, further benefiting your community and its residents. Many small businesses source their products locally which is better for the earth and leaves less of a carbon footprint on the environment.

Interested in supporting Small Business Saturday in the Valley but don’t know where to start? Local First Arizona can be a great resource. This local nonprofit organization advocates for and supports small businesses here in Arizona. Its website offers a thorough directory of small businesses for anything you may want or need. If you need a little extra nudge, here’s a few local businesses that offer perfect gift ideas for your friends and family: 

Shopping Local: Apparel, Jewelry and Knick-Knacks

The Valley offers a plethora of local shops that feature a variety of gifts for each and every person in your inner circle. For those who enjoy the finer things in life, head over to the Local Nomad in Phoenix to find an array of goodies and trinkets ranging from essential oils and candles to beautiful sweaters and pants. Then, to support another small business, venture into the artsy Downtown Phoenix to MADE Art Boutique to find an eclectic mix of souvenirs and trinkets including locally made ceramics, jewelry and soaps. 

Still in need of some fun stocking stuffers? Visit Sibley’s West in Chandler to find exciting presents such as raw locally-sourced honey and cactus everything ranging from prickly pear flavored candies, jellies, BBQ sauces, as well as cactus-related decorations, golf tees, ornaments and more. 

A couple of West Valley hidden gems include Robyn’s Nest that feature fun decor and unique furniture, and Aure, which is a little online boutique featuring cute tote bags, custom pet pillows and more, for those looking for a little personal touch.  

Shopping Local: Small Business Bites 

Have a sweet tooth in your family? Head on over to Old Town Candy & Toys in Scottsdale to pick from a selection of more than 144 baskets of tasty goodies along with toys, books, science kits and more. Also tucked away in Old Town Scottsdale is Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop where you can find an assortment of sweet treats including macaroons, cake pops, cookies and more. 

For the cupcake lovers in your life, check out Sweet Daddy Cupcakes in Chandler or Gilbert. These goodies were featured on Food Network and Cupcake Wars so they are guaranteed to satisfy even the most dedicated cupcake connoisseurs. 

Services 

If you are looking for the perfect way for you and your special someone to unwind together, look no further than the Juniper spa in Midtown Phoenix. Pick from acupuncture, massage, accu-massage, facials, peels and more and get ready to sit back, relax and enjoy. 

For the kids and kids-at-heart, support a small business by gifting them tickets to the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park. This zoo has the state’s largest collection of exotic animals with more than 6000 animals, along with fun rides, shows and a petting zoo. 

As the weather is cooling off, you can give friends and family the gift of good food and beautiful scenery while still supporting a small business. The Farm at South Mountain in Phoenix features three restaurants onsite that offer delicious breakfast, lunch and fine-dining dinner options. This farm-to-table cuisine sits on 10-acres of land so visitors can enjoy some tasty food and spend the rest of the day exploring the gardens, playing frisbee in the grass and more. A Farm gift card is good for any of its three onsite restaurants, as well as the retail shop. 

As Small Business Saturday is approaching on November 28, now is the perfect time to consider how you can support local small businesses in the Valley. When you shop small for your holiday gifts this season, your money is going right back into your community! Explain to your friends and family why they should support small businesses, what Small Business Saturday is and encourage them to join you in shopping local and supporting small businesses this holiday season as well.