Small Business Saturday in Chicago invites consumers to shop local
CHICAGO (CBS) — It's one of the busiest weekends of the year for holiday shopping, and on Saturday, the spotlight was on local mom and pop shops. Hundreds of stores across Chicago took part in Small Business Saturday.
'Tis the season for holiday cheer, and of course holiday shopping.
Community leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, kicked off Small Business Saturday here at Café Colao in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, before making their way down Division Street to thank shop owners and encourage people to shop local.
"Our small businesses make up what I call the soul of Chicago," Johnson said. "In many instances, individuals are taking their innovation and their entrepreneurial spirit, and growing business and opportunity that ultimately grows the economic stability of our communities."
A recent small business economic impact study found that 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community.
Merz Apothecary has been in Chicago for nearly 150 years, and at its current location in Lincoln Square since 1982. They said, for them, Small Business Saturday is a win-win.
"It's something that means a lot to this community. It's allowed us to stay open all these years and have success," said senior store manager Dana Jasper.
After Small Business Saturday in 2023, 61% of shoppers said they'd likely return to a small business they went to, according to the 2023 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey.
"It might bring new people in, too, because people come from the suburbs, from out of state. They're visiting family for Thanksgiving, so they're coming in here, discovering us on this day," Jasper said.
Café Colao's owner said Saturdays are generally busy, but Small Business Saturday brings in a little boost, something local spots welcome during a busy holiday shopping season.
