Edmonds Chamber Sponsoring Small Business Saturday to Drive Local Sales

In an attempt to drive business sales in the city, the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the second annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26. Small Business Saturday is a day for dedicating a portion of holiday shopping to local, independently owned small businesses.

American Express, the founding sponsor of Small Business Saturday, created the national program in 2010 to create more demand for small-business owners’ products and services. The second event will build on last year’s inaugural program, which the Chamber says drove millions of dollars to local merchants.

The Chamber is inviting Edmonds businesses to get involved in Small Business Saturday by signing up at facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday.

Edmond Chamber of Commerce Vice President Bob Rinehart says Edmonds residents can help local businesses as well. “Hold on to some of the money you’re setting aside for Black Friday and come shop Edmonds on Small Business Saturday,” he said. “Give our local economy a boost by putting your money where your house is.”

Edmonds will kick off its festivities Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. at Centennial Plaza, where Clear Channel Communications will be onsite with a live broadcast to interview shoppers and small business owners. At noon, there will be a brief ceremony with a mayoral proclamation, followed by the first of two drawings to be held for an AMEX gift card.

The second drawing will be held later that same day at the annual tree lighting event, which starts at 4:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza, Fifth Avenue North and Bell Street.