Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 11.27.13

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NOVEMBER 27, 2013 | 29

RETAIL
BUSINESSMONTHLY

Rochelle Lombardi arranges jewelry in the window of the Going to the Sun Gallery in downtown Whiteish. Lombardi owns the gallery, which features works from 22 local artists.
BIG PLANS
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON

Small Business Saturday

takes place Nov. 30
FOR SHOPPING SMALL

By MOLLY PRIDDY of the Beacon

y the time this edition of the Credit card monolith American Express
Beacon hits newsstands, there coined the term in 2010, declaring that the
will be less than a month left day after the Black Friday craziness should
until Christmas. It’s getting be dedicated to the small, local businesses on
to be crunch time for many America’s main streets. The movement re-

shoppers seeking the perfect ceived more than 1 million ‘likes’ on Facebook
gifts, and it’s a time of year within a month, and the U.S. Senate oicially
that brings relief to many local recognized Small Business Saturday in 2011.
businesses after the relatively
In the years since, Small Business Sat-
lean fall months.
urday has caught on, with small businesses
The day after Thanksgiving, falling this
working with American Express on market-
year on Nov. 29, has earned the name Black ing tactics such as social media to get the

Friday, and is the biggest shopping day in word out.
America. Last year, Americans spent more The company also ofers small business-
than $1 billion in online purchases, and this es free in-store signage for the event, as well
year many brick-and-mortar stores are open- as social media posts and email templates to
ing on Thanksgiving to cater to customers.
help small business owners promote their
Plenty of local shops in the valley are open stores. Jordan Rendoni hangs lights inside the Bozeman Watch Co. in Whiteish.
for Black Friday, but the day after, now known American Express cardholders also can
as Small Business Saturday, is reserved espe- ind extra deals and incentives on Small Busi-
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON

cially for them. This year, Small Business Sat-
urday takes place on Nov. 30.
See Shopping PAGE 31