The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) distributed $500 in American Express gift cards to Gaithersburg & Germantown residents on Saturday, November 29 or better known as Shop Small® Business Saturday.
The Chamber was approved in July as Shop Small® Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion and we decided to make an impact on this day. As a Neighborhood Champion, we were able to play a key role in supporting the small businesses that help our neighborhood thrive.
Donned with small business pins, balloons, go shop small stickers and gift cards, GGCC Director of Events of Marketing Laura Rowles headed out and visited 9 local chamber businesses. There she provided their customers with $25 American Express gift cards for shopping, eating, or getting fit locally. Businesses visited included: Butler’s Orchard, Soldierfit, Largent’s Restaurant & Bar, Pasha Land Restaurant, Jo’s Comfort Zone, Pinky and Pepe’s Grape Escape, Pet Valu, Downtown Crown Wine & Beer and Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa.
“This is a great way to bring some attention to our smaller retailers. We appreciate customers who Shop Small and this was a fantastic opportunity to reward those who do,” stated Marilyn Balcombe, GGCC President.
Starting in mid-October, we were shipped a Small Business Saturday event kit filled with Shop Small® branded merchandise that helped our community celebrate the day.
In 2010, Small Business Saturday began to help businesses with their most pressing need — getting more customers. The day happens every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and encourages residents to shop small and locally. The first-ever Small Business Saturday was held on November 27, 2010. In 2011, the U.S. Senate officially recognized the day. In 2012, an estimated $5.5 billion was spent at small independent businesses on that day. In 2013, 1,450 neighborhood champions signed up to rally their communities.
For the GGCC, the movement isn’t only one day. The chamber is primarily composed of small businesses. Please continue to support local small business in our communities here and across the country. For a complete list of the GGCC members, please visit our membership directory at www.ggchamber.org.
This young boy and his mom were excited to take a break from training and receive a Shop Small® Business Saturday gift card. It pays to get fit local. Soldierfit exemplifies small business pride and is a boot camp, offering personal training in Gaithersburg. Pictured are Soldierfit’s Front Desk attendant Stephanie Evans, Soldierfit Members Victoria and Leland Jones and Soldierfit Personal Trainer Antoine Robinson (l:r).
(Photo Credit: Laura Rowles, Director of Events & Marketing)