If you were out and about this past weekend, odds are you heard someone mention “Small Business Saturday.”
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the popular shopping day known as “Black Friday” has become a cultural phenomenon. As a way to promote spending money with local small businesses the US Small Business Administration came up with “Small Business Saturday” in 2010 to promote hometown merchants offering unique gift items.
In 2023, the reported projected spending in the U.S. from those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday was around $17 billion. Since 2010, the total reported U.S. spending at small businesses during the annual Small Business Saturday is an estimated $201 billion.
The need for “Small Business Saturday” in more urban areas is clear. Often times small shops struggle to compete with big box stores and discount retailers online.
In Highlands and Cashiers, every Saturday is Small Business Saturday, and that suits us just fine. Whether you are in the market for a quick lunch, some new threads, or something as large as a whole-home generator, if you purchase it on the plateau you are supporting a small business.
If you missed the officially designated day to shop small, you will get another opportunity this coming weekend when two of the area’s premiere holiday season events roll through downtown Highlands and the Cashiers crossroads.
It doesn’t get much more festive than a traditional Christmas parade, and Highlands and Cashiers each boast a fine event for all ages. The Highlands parade will begin at 10 a.m. and roll down Main Street. There will be music, classic cars, the parade’s signature camels, and of course an appearance by Santa Claus.
Cashiers Christmas parade is celebrating its 50th year, and the fun will start at 3 p.m. and the parade will take a new route through the crossroads in 2024.
It’s a festive time of year, so enjoy the parades and support the plateau’s small businesses.