State officials and the U.S. Small Business Administration are urging everyone to shop local on “Small Business Saturday.”
“Small Business Saturday” is held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
SBA District Director John Fleming says the nationwide observance was founded by American Express and is officially co-sponsored by the SBA.
“Well, we’re mainly encouraging people to don’t forget to shop at the local small businesses. Especially at this time of year, it’s most important and we know unfortunately, more and more shopping is done online, but it makes it tough on our small businesses to survive," Fleming said.
Fleming says the event always means a great deal of increased revenue for Delaware. He says retailers report a jump in sales by an estimated 20- to 30-percent on Small Business Saturday.
Earlier this week, SBA officials, representatives of Delaware’s Congressional delegation and Delaware officials conducted a driving tour, making small business visits along the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad roadway through downtown Dover.
“Folks may not be aware but the historic underground railroad which was led by Harriet Tubman, part of it cuts through Delaware. And they’re trying to promote that as a tourist destination along with the other byways that the state has as well,” said Fleming.
The event kicked off on the steps of the Old State House and then moved on to the Delaware Store on State Street and the Governor’s Cafe on Kings Highway. Both businesses are offering “Byway Buck” discounts to patrons.
To plan a trip along Delaware’s ‘Tubman Byway,’ get spendable ‘Byway Bucks,’ and for a listing of ‘Byway Buck’ shopping and dining discounts and special admissions, visit: the Delaware Byway Bucks Facebook page or http://www.TubmanBywayDelaware.org.
