As the holiday shopping season kicks into full gear this week, skip the big-box frenzy on Black Friday and share a more eco-friendly day on Local Business Saturday.
Across the country, local retailers will be celebrating Small Business Saturday on November 30. Shoppers can find local stores near them by entering their city or zip code in the American Express Shop Small business map locator.
Forty-five percent of the dollars spent at local, independent shops stay in the local economy, compared to 17 percent of purchases made at chain stores, according to KC Source Link, the sponsor of ShopLocalKC. If just 10 percent of people shifted their spending from chains to local businesses, it could bring an additional $235-million per year to that community’s economy.
There are also several special events featuring local makers, artists and fair-trade creators in Kansas City, MO and Lawrence, KS including:
KANSAS CITY, MO
Brookside Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 30: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, November 29 – 30: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The City Market, 20 E. 5th St.
Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair
Saturday, November 30: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 1: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Road
Waldo Small Business Shopping Crawl
Saturday, November 30: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
LAWRENCE, KS
Friday, November 29: 5 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 30: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lawrence Arts Center, 840 New Hampshire St.
Holiday Art Fair – Lawrence Art Guild
Saturday, December 7: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lawrence Art Center, 940 New Hampshire St.
Winter Holiday Faire
Saturday, December 14: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Prairie Moon Waldorf School, 1853 E. 1600 Road
Locally owned businesses are often more environmentally friendly by purchasing from local suppliers that require less transportation. They are generally located in the middle of the city, instead of the fringe, which means they contribute less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Photo: Odyssey