Shop Small Saturday on November 30th

Each November, businesses across North America encourage locals to shop small. It’s a way of bringing in locals (and visitors) to shop in their own hometown, in shops run by your neighbor, your cousin, or just someone you know. There are many reasons to shop small and I’ve listed ten of them below. These are the stores that create jobs, help build our community, and the Iaksotha and Rakeni (Mom and Pop) stores whose every presence makes your neighborhood a neighborhood. Shop Small was created in 2010 by American Express to encourage shoppers to shop local after the rush of big box store sales on Black Friday. You don’t need an American Express card to take advantage and support our local shops, stores and services in Akwesasne.

The big box stores such as Walmart, K Mart, Home Depot and others have taken shopping to a new level of Big Black Friday, and have created the big black monster that signals the beginning of Christmas Shopping for many. Shop Small Saturday has an entirely different sense to it. Many shops will offer coffee and a much quieter place to shop, and all the while your hard earned dollar stays in the community. According to different sources, if you spend $100.00 in Akwesasne or for that matter in any store in surrounding communities, $68.00 will stay in Akwesasne in comparison to only $48.00 staying local if you buy from a chain or big box store. Other things to consider when buying local are;

You conserve energy because you use less fuel for transportation and packing.

Local owners know you and you know them. Studies have shown local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chain stores, and anyone fundraising can attest to that.

Locally owned businesses pick the items and products based on what they know you like and want. They can carry unique items because they buy for their own individual markets.

You are their friends and neighbors, and locally owned businesses have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. They are passionate about what they do, and why not take advantage of it?

Creativity and entrepreneurship are what strong economies are founded on and nurturing local communities helps to build strong communities.

There are many interesting and unique stores in and around Akwesasne and shopping small on Saturday November 30 helps everyone in Akwesasne.

Here are the top ten reasons to Shop Small on Saturday.

10. Local stores are more likely to carry locally produced foods, which supports local agriculture.

9. Local business owners contribute to more local fundraising and 501(c)3’s.

8. Local businesses provide a majority of jobs.

7. Local businesses support other local businesses.

6. The business community becomes reflective of this community’s unique culture.

5. When shopping in surrounding local shops the sales taxes you pay support the surrounding community and county: fixing my roads, maintaining my recreational facilities, the schools our children attend.

4. Competition and diversity result in fair prices and more choices.

3. Shopping local reduces my carbon footprint.

2. Local business owners invest in the community and have a vested interest in the future of this community.

1. My hometown is more important than a cheap pair of underwear!