Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

For the tenth year, the city of Wilmore will participate in Shop Small Business Saturday from Saturday, Nov. 25 to Saturday, Dec. 2.

Every year, after Thanksgiving dinner, American Families hop into their vehicles to wait in lines that sometimes surround the outside of big box stores. Television sets, toys, household appliances, and other miscellaneous items are grabbed and sometimes fought over in what is known as Black Friday.

Judy Woolums, the director of the community development board in Wilmore, wants residents to know that 15 small businesses will participate in the event, highlighting their value to the community in a world of corporate markets.

“Support of these small and local businesses is critical if they are to remain open. If residents want local shopping and dining opportunities, they must support them and not hustle to the nearest big box store. These owners are the ones who support local events and charities with their donations. They pay taxes and often have paid staff, thereby providing some part-time jobs. Dollars spent circulate back through the community. Small retail merchants carry unique merchandise, often locally made or sourced, unavailable at the malls. Saving money by shopping big retail locations should be balanced out with saving time, gas, and frustration. And there are no self-checkouts at the Wilmore shops – you will be warmly greeted and politely served by the owner/operators!” Woolums said.

The participating businesses can be identified by the balloons, posters, door mats, and banners promoting small businesses. Shoppers will receive unique canvas totes when they shop at participating businesses. They can register for one of the four $30 gift certificates that will be given away after the week finishes.

This event is sponsored by American Express and the Wilmore Community Development Board, and according to Woolums, about every 67 cents of every dollar spent at a U.S. small business will remain in the local community.

“American Express started its Shop Small Business Saturday in 2010 to encourage support for small businesses. In Wilmore, we start the event the Friday/Saturday after Thanksgiving and run it through the week, concluding with the 35th Annual Old Fashioned Musical Christmas on Saturday, December 2,” Woolums said.