Detroit’s retail community is embracing Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, by offering a variety of discounts, specials and activities for the entire family. Businesses throughout the city are asking residents to shop small for all of their holiday gift-giving needs, from everyday items to unique holiday treasures.
Kevin Johnson, DEGC president and CEO, said he will wait until Saturday to start his holiday shopping in Detroit.
“Detroit’s commercial corridors are seeing new life with small businesses of all types,” said Johnson. “We have businesses that have been serving our neighborhoods for generations, and some that are opening their doors for the first time. All of them are important to ensuring that residents have the goods and services they need and deserve. Small Business Saturday is the perfect time to thank Detroit’s small business owners with your holiday shopping dollars.”
In many retail areas, select businesses are hosting “pop-up” opportunities for local vendors without brick-and-mortar stores. Shop Small in Grandmont Rosedale, for example, will feature more than 25 vendors selling locally sourced gifts and food items. Other businesses will host dance performances, book signings and free childcare.
“Shop Small in Grandmont Rosedale is celebrating its fourth holiday event,” said Cody Williams, owner of Town Hall Cafe (formerly Always Brewing Detroit) and President of the Grand River Business Association. “Grandmont Rosedale is a destination neighborhood with a thriving retail community. Shoppers are invited to spend the day enjoying the many shops, restaurants and fun activities from Evergreen to Asbury Park.”
District Business Liaisons are working with retailers throughout the city to ensure every commercial corridor is brimming with shopping opportunities and family-oriented festivities throughout the holiday season. DEGC’s entire Small Business Team is helping to promote the great shops and restaurants right here in the city through a variety of programs such as Motor City Match and Motor City Re-Store
To help shoppers buy locally and stay on a budget, the DEGC has created the 2018 Holiday Gift Guide. The guide lists 50 gifts priced at under $50 dollars – all available from Detroit retailers.
“Spending in the city is just one more way to strengthen our communities,” said Mike Rafferty, DEGC Vice President, Small Business Services. “In addition to helping Detroit, you’ll find a variety of practical, unique and fun items all value priced. We’re making shopping local easy and stress-free to help everyone enjoy holidays, including our neighborhoods’ cherished small business owners.”
Small Business Saturday began nationally in 2010 to encourage customers to shop locally rather than at malls and big-box stores. Since then, Small Business Saturday has taken its place between Black Friday and Cyber Monday as one of the holiday’s most important shopping days.
The Shop Small movement has gained momentum in Detroit throughout the year.
“We hope this event will introduce everyone to the incredible retail that exists in Detroit and encourage people to shop small all year long,” Rafferty said. “If we want to see more retail in the city, we have the responsibility to support local businesses. These stores stabilize our communities and make our neighborhoods strong.”
Information on Detroit’s Small Business Saturday, a complete list of participating businesses and specific retailer offerings is located at https://degc.org/small-business-saturday/. The Holiday Gift Guide will be available Nov. 24 for download at https://degc.org/holiday-gift-guide/.