FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: October 29, 2019

CONTACT
Phone: (209) 228-3472
Email: jbutler3@ucmerced.edu

Businesses are Invited to Become a “Passport Stop” for the 10thAnnual Small Business Saturday® that Promotes Shopping Local

Merced, CA: November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is a big day for local small businesses. It’s ‘Small Business Saturday’ and encourages shoppers to shop local and support our area economy. And this year, in partnership with the Greater Merced Chamber of Commerce, Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Merced College Business Resource Center, the SBDC is inviting City of Merced small business owners to participate in a new “Passport Stop” program to attract shoppers to their stores.
“This is a great opportunity for area businesses to get new customers. There’s absolutely no cost to be a Passport Stop,” explains SBDC Regional Director Kurt Clark. “It’s a fun and creative way to give shoppers a little extra incentive to visit all of their favorite places and explore new ones, helping people to discover all our city has to offer. On Saturday November 30, between 9AM-1PM, we’ll be kicking of Small Business Saturday by handing out Neighborhood Passports for shoppers to get stamped every time they visit a participating small business between Saturday, November 30thuntil noon on Friday, December 6th. When they shop at participating businesses, 10 stamps or more can get them something special, like a discount or raffle prize.
The Shop Small Movement began in 2010, and always falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The intent was to remind people of the importance of supporting local merchants, particularly in the face of “Black Friday” that focuses on big box stores sales. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day and it became a national event.
In 2018, U.S. consumers reported spending an estimated $17.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday. According to a recent report on the Shop Small website, 96% of consumers who reported shopping on Small Business Saturday said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long, not just during the holiday season.

For more information: Interested businesses are invited to a free pre-event workshop to learn more about how they can join as a Passport Stop. The meeting is on November 20th from 8:30 to 9:30AM at the Greater Merced Chamber office on 531 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340. People can RSVP at Eventbrite http://bit.ly/SBSpr19 (case sensitive).

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