Merchants Say Shop Local Effort Worked For Small Businesses
The wrapping paper may (or may not) have made it to the trash yet, but — anecdotally at least — it appears that local stores had a decent Christmas shopping season.
Joining together for “Shop Local Saturday,” traditionally the Saturday after Thanksgiving, got the season off right. The effort, begun a few years ago by American Express, spotlights local businesses.
“Every year the Small Business/Shop Local day has been stronger and stronger. This year it was one of busiest days in the history of my store,” said Cynthia Cannon, owner of Sunrise Boutique, on High Street. The day is also chosen by Discover Clinton to promote small, local businesses, Cannon said. Cannon is a member of the business group. “They distributed bags, banners and other free merchandise to local small businesses that wanted to be involved. A free downtown location was offered for all the nonprofits to build awareness and raise money for their varied causes.”