Shop Locally in Lake View on Small Business Saturday Nov. 24

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on.

American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Lake View.

And almost every chamber of commerce in Lake View is sponsoring some sort of rewards program to get residents geared up to shop local. From discounted gift cards to a money-back promotion, shopping small can also mean saving big.

Lakeview East Chamber

Collect $300 in receipts from a minimum of three East Lake View businesses and receive a $50 gift card, no strings attached. Just bring your receipts in to the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce before Dec. 21 at noon to receive your loyalty prize. 

You have to spend at least $25 at the store, and can only spend $100 on groceries or liquor to be eligable. Also, there are no prescriptions or memberships allowed. Check out their site to see the long list of eligable businesses. 

Lakeview Chamber

In their SHOP Lakeview program, the Lakeview Chamber is also offering $50 for every $300 spent at a minimum of five participating merchants. Whether dinners on Lincoln or a haircut on Southport, computer repairs on Ashland or a massage on Belmont, your receipts will add up before you know it.

Mail or deliver your receipts to the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce by Dec. 31 to receive your $50 in SHOP Lakeview dollars!

Northalsted Business Alliance

Sales for their Northalsted Holiday Bucks promotion were only on Nov. 17, and starting Monday, buyers were allowed to use them. If you purchased the Holiday Bucks for Northalsted, get ready to use them on Small Business Saturday.

And on top of Small Business Saturday, Black Friday marked the start of the longest possible shopping season, and Lake View businesses are hoping to cash in. 

To explain: With Nov. 1 falling on Thursday, the fourth Thursday and Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, couldn't fall any sooner. And that means there is more time – the most time any year can provide – for shoppers to shop and businesses to reap the bounty.

Katherine McHenry’s business, Building Blocks Toy Store on Lincoln Avenue, is still recovering from a devastating summer flood. She says news of an extra-long shopping season is no surprise to her, and her store could use the help.

“I’m so grateful about (the longer shopping season),” McHenry said. “It’s really important to a small business like ours to have those extra days. As the owner of a toy store, I know exactly when all the holidays are, so yeah, I knew we were getting a few more this year.”

Last year, 100 million people nationwide participated in Small Business Saturday by shopping at locally owned stores to help boost the economy and their communities.

Everyone has locally owned businesses in their community, and shopping on Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to give back to the businesses you know and love in your community.

TELL US: What small businesses do you patronize in your town and what makes them great? Share in the comments below.