Shop small this Saturday

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Joseph Pratt

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When you buy local, you’re putting money back into your community. You’re helping a neighbor achieve in life. You’re helping a person pay their bills and put their kids in school. You are cultivating your hometown culture and benefiting commerce in your own neck of the woods. The benefits of shopping small are plenty, and the annual day of recognizing the act is quickly approaching on Saturday, November 28, during the Fifth Annual Small Business Saturday.

The campaign was heavily influenced by American Express, which started the campaign in 2010. By 2011, political leaders all over the country, including President Obama, expressed support. In 2012, American Express pushed brick and mortar businesses to seek patronage and even assisted them with free marketing opportunities. The year was a success, according to americanexpress.com, which states that 73.9 million people gave patronage to small businesses around the country. By 2013, American Express reports that over 1,450 partnerships were formed with communities. The 2014 celebration reached new heights, with American Express estimating that over $14.3 billion was spent.

The organization is now asking how willing people are to grow it further this year.

Many local businesses are taking advantage of the situation.

The Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce has announced several of their partners holding events in celebration of the day of shopping.

Hatti Beasleys will be offering 25 percent off all retail in the store, which includes jewelry and bags. Hatti Beasleys will also be offering coffee and cookies.

Kakao Konfections, inside the Sweet Boutique, is offering 10 percent off chocolate, with the donation of a canned food item. The canned food will be donated to a local food pantry.

Patter Fam Sauces, of Wheelersburg, will be serving coffee and treats, while all of the sauces will be on sale. 12 ounce bottles will be $5. If five are purchased, one if given free. Gift certificates for a cooking school are also available.

“The message behind Small Business Saturday is one that we support all year long, so we get behind it,” Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Carver said. “It goes along with our mission.”

Many other businesses are offering discounts and specials.

Awesome Town and Castle Comics will be offering 25 percent off video games, 20 to 50 percent off select comics, 10 percent off game consoles, 25 percent off rare Pokemon, Yugioh, and Magic the Gathering cards, 10 percent off select figures, and other specials throughout the day.

Haskins House is offering 20 percent off purchases $10 and over. Charlie is also accepting Christmas commissions as well.

Pack Rats will be celebrating the season with live music by Nevada Hart. They will also be discounting jewelry and Native American artifacts 50 percent.

Ghosts in the Attic will have many vendor specials and also offering cider and cookies.

Terry Ockerman’s Coffee @ the Lofts will be offering a warm place for shoppers to relax and receive free refills on brewed coffee.

Many of the area small brick-and-mortar shops will be offering discounts and treats to shoppers throughout the day.

“It is important to shop local,” Carver said. “These small business owners depend on that business; it is their bread and butter.”

Reach Joseph Pratt at 740-353-3101, ext. 1932, or by Twitter @JosephPratt03.

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