For a fifth year, Downtown Milford Inc. is encouraging consumers to spend their holiday shopping dollars locally.
Part of a national movement, Small Business Saturday was developed in response to the mega market Black Friday and Cyber Monday days.
Earlier this month, Congress passed a resolution honoring Small Business Saturday.
Downtown Milford’s Executive Director Lee Nelson says it's a way to boost local retailer's bottom line and spur economic activity in Milford.
“The dollars that are spent locally stay locally, he says. “These downtown retailers are residents and members of the community and therefore the money stays in the community.”
For many retailers, fourth quarter sales account for a sizeable portion of yearly sales.
Nelson says about 20 merchants in the town will participate in the holiday sales event.
“People should shop local because downtown's are the heart of a community,” he notes. “We feel that it's important that people do come downtown to support their businesses and keep Milford a place that has character, has uniqueness and individuality.”
Nelson adds Small Business Saturday helps build long-term awareness of businesses in the downtown area.
Downtown Milford will be running a Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt from 10:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. The town's Santa Claus house also opens for the season on Saturday.