Small Business Saturday Nov. 25 Shop Local – Shop Montrose for the Holidays

First observed in the United States on Nov. 27, 2010, Small Business Saturday is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick-and-mortar businesses that are small and local. The first event, sponsored by American Express, was promoted nationwide on radio and television and on Facebook. AMEX bought advertising inventory on Facebook that in turn gave to its small merchant account holders to help promote the event. With the support of many local politicians and small business groups, more than one million Facebook “likes” were registered and nearly 30,000 tweets on Twitter were generated using the #smallbusinesssaturday and #smallbizsaturday. Now, seven, years later, the Small Business Saturday is going strong. According to American Express, last year 112 million consumers spent $15.4 million at small businesses! That is good news. Let’s bring some of that to Montrose and support our small business owners and shop small on Saturday, Nov. 25!

I am sure many of you have noticed the many changes that have happened in the Montrose Shopping Park in the past few years. Businesses are turning over, retail shops are leaving and not being replaced and storefronts are sitting vacant. I receive phone calls all the time asking what is happening in Montrose, why businesses are leaving, why are there so many of different types of the same businesses and why we don’t have more diversity. Although this can be disheartening at times, there is something we can do about it! This community and its patronage of all the businesses in the Montrose-Verdugo City area are vital to the stability of the area. Remember, when you come to Montrose to shop you are doing so much more than picking up the items you want and need. You are helping to sustain our area and our local economy. When you shop local, the money spent at local businesses is reinvested in our community creating diversity and helping the community maintain and create its unique appeal. Saturday, Nov. 25 is your chance to support!!

To our business owners in the area looking for the community to support, here are some ways you promote your business for Small Business Saturday: 1) Get the word out online. Make it clear on your website on social media and in the local community that everyone’s invited to shop with you. For all your posts, make sure you use a hashtag. Some popular ones are #smallbusinesssatruday, #shopsmall & #dinesmall. Start a conversation about your offerings, engage customers and make your tweets easier to find. Also make sure that your website is up-to-date and includes your store hours. 2) Plan promotions, sales or events. Do raffles and give away freebies or host an open house. 3) Collaborate with other businesses by cross-promoting to expand your outreach. Your partnership allows you to offer discounts and coupons for shopping at the other businesses. 4) Evaluate staffing needs and company policies to make sure you have enough people and that they are aware of your specials along with offering your staff a “brush up” on customer service. 5) Check your inventory levels. Popular items and sales will go fast. Having a good supply of these items will ensure you can get through the rest of the holiday season. 6) Promote yourself. It is important to remember to continue to promote yourself through the entire holiday season. You should daily post specials, reminders and new items that you have at your store. You are your best advocate!

Upcoming events

Montrose Old Towne Christmas going on from Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Montrose Shopping Park.

December business mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., 4th Floor Council Rooms, Glendale 91208.

Montrose Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. sharp in the 2200, 2300 & 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose.

2018 Annual Community Awards Recognition Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Oakmont Country Club.

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce: Your source for all things local! Our mission is to actively support and enrich the community, vitality and pride of Montrose, to help preserve the historic district and small town atmosphere, to promote economic stability and positive, productive relationships within Montrose and the surrounding communities.

  melinda clarke