Small Business Saturday becomes week-long event

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Montgomery County is showing its support for local businesses by expanding Small Business Saturday into an entire week.

It’s an effort that will put the spotlight on keeping your money local, in a fun way.

You can download a bingo card off the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce website. It encourages you to shop for loved one’s gifts at those mom-and-pop shops, as well as donate your time to help someone else.

“Every dollar that is spent, 68 cents stays in our local economy,” Steve Baffuto, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce president, said. “So, we definitely want to promote our local businesses for that reason.”

The week-long event kicks off on Small Business Saturday, promoting shops and services across Montgomery County.

And to make it a little fun, you can play bingo to be entered into a raffle while you shop around town.

“There is a lot of fun things on here like: visit a local shop you’ve never been to before, buy a loved one a present from a local retailer,” Baffuto said.

Also: buy flowers for someone you know.

Gates Flowers and Gifts has been around since 1971. Owner Seth Gillespie and Manager Erlene Barber say they are excited to see the spotlight stay a little longer.

“Saturdays aren’t really that busy for small businesses because they’re still shopping at the large chain stores,” Barber said. “It’s football which people are home watching; people are still recovering from the holidays.”

The initiative aims to boost holiday spending locally and raise awareness of how vital these businesses are to the community.

“Those dollars go so far in this community,” Gillespie said. “Whether it is our small business or the numerous ones throughout town, I hope people will get out and support.”

All you you have to do is fill the card out diagonally, across, or down, then return it to the chamber’s offices.

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