Shop Locally in Baldwin-Whitehall on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on.

American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might otherwise be overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Baldwin-Whitehall.

"Having a strong business district is better for your property values," said Stephanie M. Miller, the manager of projects & initiatives for Economic Development South. "If you leave your community to shop at a big-box store or shop online, you're not helping that local business survive and give tax dollars back to your own community.

"For every $100 spent shopping locally, $68 stays in the community."

Last year, 100 million people nationwide participated in Small Business Saturday by shopping at locally owned stores to help boost the economy and their communities.

You can search for local businesses here on American Express' Shop Small page or here in the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch directory.

You can also "like" Small Business Saturday on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/shopsmall.

Everyone has locally owned businesses in their community, and shopping on Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to give back to the businesses that you know and love in your own backyard.

Which small businesses do you patronize in your town, and what makes them great? Give them a plug in the comments section below.

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