Saturday, November 28 marks the fifth annual Small Business Saturday. Downtown Missoula businesses are participating in the event that saw $14.3 billion in consumer spending across the nation last year. Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 to help support local small businesses that create jobs and support the local economy from the base level.
“The Missoula Downtown Association (MDA) and its members value this national promotion because we know Small Business Saturday is intended to promote and support our Downtown businesses, who contribute so much to our local economy,” said Linda McCarthy, Executive Director of the Downtown Missoula Partnership – an umbrella organization comprised of the MDA, Downtown Business Improvement District, and the Missoula Downtown Foundation.
“The MDA has complimented the national campaign by encouraging all of our small business to participate by running local advertisements and encouraging our community members to shop local this year on social and mainstream media. We are dedicated to raising awareness of the role small businesses play in keeping our community healthy and strong. Behind every small business is a dream worth supporting,” she continued.
Starting on Small Business Saturday and running until Dec. 20, the MDA will be partnering with the MSO HUB, located at 140 N. Higgins, to offer free gift wrapping. Downtown shoppers can get their gifts wrapped for during business hours. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will also start onNovember 28 and will be located on East Pine Street both Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-4pm until December 20 in partnership with Paws Up Resort.
In addition to their usual appearance in the Florence Hotel Lobby for the Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 5, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting Liquid Planet once again Saturday, December 12 and December 19 from 2-6pm.
McCarthy reiterated, “our Downtown, along with Downtown businesses, provide one of the most unique, personal, and festive experiences during the holiday season. We encourage everyone to make their way into the heart of Missoula to shop and spend locally.”
The Missoula Downtown Association asks the community to shop Downtown on November 28 on Small Business Saturday and every day this holiday season. Shopping Downtown is a great way to strengthen the local economy, keep local businesses strong, and support the heart of Missoula. More information can be found at the MDA website or by contacting the Downtown Missoula Partnership staff via phone (543-4238).