Shopping small is more crucial than ever this year

Supporting locally-owned stores is always important, but this year – of all years – getting out and spending your money in neighborhood shops is crucial. As spring turned into summer, many of the city’s locally-owned businesses were struggling to stay open. Then, several retailers lost power in October and couldn’t open for two weeks.

But it’s those businesses that make Oklahoma City a great place to live and visit. It’s those shop owners that will keep you in mind when they head to market and buy stuff for the year or even let you bring your dog into the store.  

While everything is different this year and Black Friday wasn’t the event it had grown to be, let’s make Small Business Saturday into that big push our retailers need. If you’ll recall, in June the Chamber launched the Stand Stall, Shop Small campaign and that sentiment hasn’t changed with the relaunch of the holiday campaign yesterday. Taking pride in Oklahoma City by shopping small, local businesses is a direct way to fund vital city services. For every dollar spent at a locally-owned store, 67 cents stay in the community. Money spent at independent stores is multiplied in the community because it helps pay wages for local residents, who have such pride in their city they support local businesses as well.

If going inside stores, especially smaller ones, still gives you the heebie-jeebies, don’t fret. Many stores have spent the last several months putting all their merchandise online so you can shop local and online, then grab it curbside.

There’s also an outdoor market, featuring retailers from across the state, set up in Midtown, starting Saturday. The shops rotate each Saturday so check the schedule at okcpopups.com to see what shops will be on the lot. Take your mask with you!