(Photo Illustration – MetroCreativeConnection)
PARKERSBURG – Small Business Saturday is returning for another year in the Mid-Ohio Valley on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Taking place between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the event encourages everyone to get into the holiday spirit.
The event was started in 2010 by American Express and co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration in 2011 as a way to recognize the contributions of small businesses.
The occasion gives the community an opportunity to spend time with friends and family while exploring local shops while simultaneously benefitting small business owners and the hard work they’ve put into their creations.
Local downtown communities are finding ways to either support local businesses or are putting on events to encourage community participation.
Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Marietta Main Street and the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau for the annual Small Business Saturday.
“Staff from the chamber will be in front of MOVE Staffing giving out $5 Marietta Bucks for the first 100 people who stop by,” said MACC President and Chief Executive Officer Kelsy Eaton. “Marietta Bucks can be used at participating shops in Downtown Marietta.”
Staff from the CVB and Marietta Main Street will also be present in front of MOVE Staffing for the event.
Several businesses and restaurants in Marietta will be participating in Small Business Saturday with special deals, similar to Marietta Main Street’s First Friday each month.
“We’ve been participating for several years and it’s a great opportunity,” said Eaton.
Gnomar the MACC Gnome on the Roam is ongoing throughout the next upcoming weeks. A purchase made at the business Gnomar is located grants community members an opportunity to fill out an entry card which is then entered into a drawing.
There will be a drawing at each location Gnomar visits for a chance to win $50 in Marietta Bucks and the winner is announced on the chamber’s Facebook.
Entry cards also go towards the Grand Prize Holiday Gift Basket which includes goodies from all of the participating businesses. The grand prize drawing winner will be announced Dec. 19 on the chamber’s Facebook.
In Parkersburg, Downtown PKB is participating in Small Business Saturday by listing all of the participating businesses in downtown Parkersburg.
Those include Wine Down on Market, The Pizza Station, Sycamore Sweets, the Parkersburg Brewing Company, First Chapter Bookstore and more.
Executive Director Amanda Stevens said Downtown PKB has promoted Small Business Saturday every year since the organization began in 2014.
Participating businesses are offering specials and deals all Saturday long. For more information on businesses and their specials visit www.downtownpkb.com/small-business-saturday.
Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Waller said they aren’t doing anything specific for Saturday.
“We want people to shop locally throughout the holiday season,” she said. “We’re going to be doing some special signage and social media posts to let the community know about what the businesses are doing.”
Waller said Belpre involves more driving around since it’s not like downtown Parkersburg or Marietta so they’re focusing on the marketing portion of the occasion. She said they’ve distributed their signage to the local retailers.
“We do have ‘Thank you for shopping small’ stickers that are available at the Chamber of Commerce office,” said Waller. “We have three larger signs that will be going up around town on Dec. 1 that say ‘Thank you for shopping local.’”
Waller said most of their businesses aren’t necessarily “small” so Belpre focuses more on shopping locally owned.
“We’re focusing on keeping the community engaged throughout the month so there’s various holiday events happening in town,” she said, adding all of the updates and events can be found on their social media or on the Facebook group Belpre In the Know.
The Belpre Christmas Market will take place from 5-9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday Nov. 28-Dec. 20 and features seasonal treats, festive lights and local vendors at Civitan Park.
The Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley isn’t doing anything specific for Saturday but encourages residents to take time this weekend and explore what the community has to offer.
“Small Business Saturday is an important reminder of the incredible diversity and strength of the business community here in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” said Chamber President and Executive Officer Jill Parsons. “Our locally owned small businesses bring unique products, personalized service and a level of community connection that truly sets our region apart.”
Parsons said this is the perfect time to visit family-owned shops and restaurants in the area and purchases at these businesses support the local workforce.
Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com
