If you’re looking to avoid long lines and the usual hassles associated with shopping after Thanksgiving, Senatobia Main Street has just the thing for you.
The City of Senatobia is participating in “Small Business Saturday” on Nov. 27, to encourage Tate County shoppers to spend their money locally this holiday season.
“We are continuously looking for ways to partner with our merchants,” said Jamie Sowell, Senatobia Main Street Chamber Director. “We are teaming up with American Express’ national campaign again this year to provide another great shopping day in Senatobia. This is a special day for you to shop and eat locally, while saving money.”
Sowell pointed out several Senatobia businesses are offering sales and specials to coordinate with the event, and Santa’s Workshop on North Ward Street will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for photos with Santa.
Sowell said a variety of vendor booths selling merchandise and gifts for Christmas will be set up around downtown, like the Christmas Open House & Bazaar a few weeks ago.
American Express launched “Small Business Saturday” in 2010 to assist small retail stores suffering due to an economic recession. The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of “Small Business Saturday” a year later. Officials in all 50 states began participating in the event in 2012.
“Small Business Saturday” is an important part of the holiday season for small merchants as they work to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, an estimated 110 million people participated nationwide, and sales hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion in reported spending.
According to American Express, the one-day event makes a huge impact annually on local economies with 67 cents of every dollar spent staying in the community.
“Even if you aren’t Christmas shopping on that day, buy something. All local purchases matter,” Sowell said.