Gordon Forgey

A survey indicated that 50 percent of America shops on Black Friday.

With all the images of people camping out in front of stores, trying to cram through entrance doors and frantically grabbing at merchandise while shouldering away other shoppers, it seems the entire country shops the day after Thanksgiving.

In fact, Black Friday has become so big that it has now slopped over on Thanksgiving itself.

Then, Cyber Monday starts. The day of frenzied internet shopping.

Squeezed in between is a very important shopping event. It is Shop Small Saturday. It is intended to encourage people to shop their local stores, most of which are locally owned, independent businesses.

Shopping locally is important throughout the year. Shop Small Saturday is a reminder of that and encouragement to visit local stores during the holiday gift-giving season.

Local merchants and service providers are usually at the core of a community and represent the heart of a downtown. They are the ones who support local projects, local fundraisers and schools. They are the ones who hire local residents, pay taxes and give variety and opportunity to small communities.

Shop Small Saturday is an invitation to everyone to shop their local stores and support them as they support their communities.

If squeezing through a doors or being shoved around by other shoppers is not your idea of fun, your local merchants are available to assist you this holiday season.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher