The holiday shopping season officially kicks off this weekend and for downtown Thomasville the message is simple — Shop Small! Small Business Saturday is Saturday, Nov. 25. Small Business Saturday encourages the community to forgo national retailers and instead shop and dine at the many local businesses that are important to Thomasville’s economic vitality.

“Small Business Saturday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year in downtown Thomasville,” said April Norton, City of Thomasville Main Street director. “Thomasville is a strong ‘shop local’ community and our downtown thrives off of that. The downtown merchants are ready and eager to open their doors for our community to Shop Local this Saturday.”

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and is a nationally recognized day to celebrate the many special and diverse local businesses that make cities unique. It is held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

“On Small Business Saturday — and any time you shop local — more of the money you spend stays in our community,” said Norton. “In fact, the economic impact of the U.S. retail industry reports that for every $100 spent in a local business, $58 flows right back into your local economy, versus only $33 when spent at a big chain retailer.”

Downtown merchants would like to thank the community for spending their dollars locally. Whether you are getting a head start on your holiday shopping or enjoying downtown Thomasville’s dining experience, you’re helping the Thomasville community thrive when you shop small this Small Business Saturday.

For more information on Downtown Thomasville’s Small Business Saturday or any other downtown event, visit www.downtownthomasville.com or call the Main Street Office at (229) 227-7020. For more information on American Express® Small Business Saturday, visit www.smallbusinesssaturday.com.