With Black Friday attracting so much business to larger retailers, the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce is telling everyone how they can support local shops on the following day, Small Business Saturday. It tells us more:
The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce is urging everyone in our community to shop early and shop local this holiday season, and is partnering with American Express to promote the Shop Small initiative. According to LendingTree, 49% of Americans plan to shop small this weekend!
We’d love to see some news stations mix up the coverage this year and make the trip up to Michigan! These small business owners have survived a tough pandemic, made even more difficult on their side of the state line because of stricter restrictions at the state level that caused many shoppers to default to Indiana stores the past few years. The business owners have learned to innovate and in some cases, reimagine their entire business. They need all of the support they can get, and media coverage plays a big role in that.
If you are planning on covering any Black Friday or Small Business Saturday stories, we’ve compiled a list of events where you can find local shoppers and merchants all in one place, and a group of local stores who would be willing to go on camera.
SATURDAY EVENTS LIST
The Grand LV is hosting an Artisan Market in their ballroom from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. hosting dozens of local vendors. It’s a chance to “shop and sip” as food and drinks will be sold as well.
· Santa will be there from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
· They are doing a toy drive for Toys for Tots
Niles Main Street will be putting on an event in downtown all day to promote shopping as well.
· Horse drawn carriage rides will leave from the NODE between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Riders will be given priority on a first come first served basis.
· Christmas tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. on the corner of 2nd & Main street.
www.facebook.com/events/1494390034256683
The Chamber in partnership with Niles Main Street and Niles Music and More is offering “12 Days of Christmas” shopping passes for locally owned Niles businesses. Shoppers can collect a passport from one of the businesses or city hall and have the cashier sign off on it for every local purchase they make.
If shoppers make a purchase at 12 local businesses throughout December they can turn in their shopping passport and get a gift card to downtown stores!
