Sopris Sun Staff Report

As a “Neighborhood Champion” of Small Business Saturday, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is actively supporting its 475 members and local businesses with a Shop Small campaign, launching to coincide with American Express’ nationwide Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.

In the run-up to Small Business Saturday, the Carbondale Chamber is distributing Shop Small merchandise and encouraging members to promote the retail day now considered to be one of the biggest retail spending weekends for consumers, according to a press release. Chamber members include boutiques, restaurants, studios, galleries and outfitters across Carbondale and the Roaring Fork Valley.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration:

• Small businesses generate two of every three net new jobs and deliver essential goods and services to America’s communities 365 days a year;

• In 2014, approximately 88 million consumers “Shopped Small” on Small Business Saturday;

• More than 77 percent of consumers said Small Business Saturday inspires them to shop small through the year and not just for the holidays;

• Approximately 66 percent of consumers say the main reason they support small businesses is because of their contributions to the community.

“Small Business Saturday is a great reminder that shopping locally creates jobs, increases sales tax revenue and builds a sense of community,” said Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Director Andrea Stewart. “Carbondale has an amazingly diverse retail offering with its boutiques, studios and stores offering all kinds of products that could probably take care of your entire holiday shopping list.

To go with Small Business Saturday, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a Shop Small Selfie contest. Shoppers can enter to win a $150 gift certificate by snapping a selfie at participating businesses, posting it on Facebook, and tagging @CarbondaleChamberofCommerce.  Be sure to also include the hash tags #ShopCarbondaleCO, #Shop-

Small.  Each selfie taken at the participating businesses enters the snapper into a contest to win a $150 Carbondale Chamber Gift Certificate, redeemable at any of the Carbondale Chamber’s gift certificate participating businesses.   

Here are the contest details.

Take a selfie at the participating business on Nov. 28, with the “Snap & Share” heart located in the business.  Post the selfie on Facebook, tag @CarbondaleChamberofCommerce, #ShopCarbondaleCO, #ShopSmall. Posts must be uploaded on Nov. 28. The more selfies posted, the more chances to win. No purchase is necessary. The winner will be notified on Nov. 30. The selfie participating businesses are:

• Bonfire Coffee Co.;

• Carbondale Council on Arts & Humanities (CCAH);

• The Carbondale Clay Center;

• Crystal River Spas;

• Harmony Scott Jewelry Design;

• Independence Run & Hike;

• lulubelle;

• Marble Distilling Co.;

• Rachel’s Sewing;

• Ragged Mtn. Sports;

• True Nature Healing Arts.

American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010, to help businesses increase customer traffic and promote local shopping. Since then, the promotion has grown. In 2011, the U.S. Senate officially recognized the day, with several states and governors signing up. In 2013, approximately 1,450 Neighborhood Champions signed up to promote local shopping. In 2014, the Small Business Consumer Insights survey estimated that consumers spent an estimated $14.3 billion at small, independent businesses during the Shop Small Saturday that year.

Published in The Sopris Sun on November 26, 2015.