Small Business Saturday has become recognized nationally as a day to shop local and has become an annual promotion from American Express.  The Roane Chamber has called it Super Saturday and has been encouraging residents to spend at least $50 locally on that day to support our small independent retailers who often get overlooked around Black Friday.

“Spending your money locally in Roane County is important year-round,” said Chamber Manager Tori May, the Roane Alliance, “but this time of year, when everyone is planning what they will be buying for Christmas is the best time to remind everyone to shop local too. And we encourage everyone to think about spending at least $50 locally because if everyone did, it would be a big economic impact for our local businesses and the entire county.”

For every $100 spent in locally-owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community, according to one nationally known 'shop local' advocacy group. The sales tax created from local purchases helps fund our community and schools plus provides vital services such as police and fire protection, street repairs and trash collection. Nothing returns to the community when those same purchases are made online, and it’s a much greener choice than driving outside the county to shop.

Buying local means believing in your community enough to invest in it. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, there are many other benefits to shopping in Roane County. Still need convinced to close your Amazon app and shop local?

• Local business owners often sell local or unique products not found online;
• Local businesses tend to give back and support other local businesses;
• Local businesses are usually one-of-a-kind and can help make the community special, even providing visitors a reason to shop in Roane;
• Local business owners can be more passionate about the products and typically take more time with their customers, developing personal connections and creating a more custom shopping experience; and
• Local businesses need everyone’s support to remain in the community.

We need small businesses, and they need us – so get out and shop local and shop often!