November 29 is coming. You know those little shops you drive past but never actually go into? The local bakery that smells incredible. The boutique with the curated window display. The restaurant where the owner knows regulars by name. Small Business Saturday is your reminder that those places need you way more than Target does.
And here’s the thing: your shopping actually changes things.
The Numbers That Prove It
In 2024, consumers spent about $22 billion on Small Business Saturday. Since the event started in 2010, the total is over $220 billion flowing into local economies. That’s not pocket change. That’s jobs. That’s Main Streets that don’t become vacant storefronts. That’s your neighbors staying employed.
Here’s the real kicker: out of every dollar you spend at a small business, 68 cents stays in your community. That money pays local employees. It buys from local suppliers. It supports local schools and infrastructure through taxes. When you spend that same dollar at a big-box retailer or online? Maybe 15 cents stays local. The rest leaves town forever.
Arlington’s Already Got This Figured Out
The Great Arlington Chamber of Commerce has been championing economic and community prosperity for 80 years. They’re coordinating Small Business Saturday specials and helping local businesses get visibility. Check out the Keep it Local Arlington website to see what’s happening in your area. You’ll find a whole catalog of local Arlington businesses running deals you won’t see anywhere else.
Why Small Business Owners Are Counting on This Day
Small business owners estimate they’re going to get almost 20% of their entire annual revenue from Small Business Saturday alone. That’s not an exaggeration. That’s one day funding a huge chunk of their year. For many of them, especially after inflation and rising costs have squeezed their margins, this day is literally make-or-break.
Inflation and rising costs affect nearly one-third of small businesses. Weak customer spending hurts another 22%. They’re hanging on, doing everything right, and then November 29 comes and gives them a chance to breathe.
What You Actually Get When You Shop Small
This isn’t just about charity. You get better stuff. You get personal service. You get someone who actually cares if you find what you’re looking for. You get gifts with stories. You get plants from a nursery where someone hand-selected them. You get hand-baked treats from a baker who actually knows their ingredients. You get a curated experience instead of an algorithm.
That hand-painted mug from the local artist? That’s not the same as the mass-produced thing from the department store. That’s someone’s creativity. That’s someone’s passion. That’s something with actual soul.
How to Actually Do This
Make a list before you go. Check out local business listings online. See what boutiques, restaurants, bookshops, and specialty stores are in your area. Don’t just wander.
Shop early if you can. Popular places get crowded on Small Business Saturday. If you go Friday evening or early Saturday morning, you get better service and a more pleasant experience.
Buy gift cards. It’s a perfect holiday gift and it gets money into the business immediately. Plus, whoever receives the card might become a regular customer after they use it.
Buy multiple things from multiple places. Don’t just hit one store. Spread the love. Hit the bakery. Hit the boutique. Hit the coffee shop. Hit the restaurant.
Follow them on social media and leave reviews. A single positive review can dramatically boost a small business’s visibility online. Share what you buy with #ShopSmall. When you post about your finds, you’re basically giving them free marketing.
Why This Day Matters Right Now
Small businesses make up 99% of all U.S. companies. But they face real pressure. About 20% of new businesses fail within their first year. Only about half of businesses survive five years. When you shop small, you’re literally keeping businesses alive.
And small businesses matter to communities in ways that big retailers never will. Over two-thirds of small businesses contribute to their communities through volunteering and financial support. They sponsor Little League teams. They donate to schools. They show up for causes. They’re invested in making their town better because they live there.
Don’t Wait Until December 24
The beauty of Small Business Saturday is that you can actually finish a huge chunk of your holiday shopping in one day. You get unique gifts. You support real people. You keep money in your community. You feel good about your purchases instead of wondering why you bought something else you don’t need.
Saturday, November 29. That’s the day. Get downtown. Support Arlington’s entrepreneurs. Your community will thank you.
For more information and to see all the local businesses participating, check out Keep it Local Arlington and the Great Arlington Chamber of Commerce website. These folks have deals lined up and they’re ready for you.
Shop small. Support local. Build your community one purchase at a time.
