Mayor Encourages Support Of Small Businesses In Holiday Season

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022

Local business owners are hoping for a busy holiday shopping season and Mayor David Pennington encouraged the people of Dalton to remember to "shop small" at Monday night's meeting of the Mayor and Council. Mayor Pennington issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, November 26th as "Small Business Saturday" in the City of Dalton to encourage support of local retailers during the busy Christmas and holiday shopping period.

The encouragement to remember small businesses during holiday shopping began in recent years with the idea of supporting small businesses on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, a day after the traditional "Black Friday" sales that are popular at major retailers. Small business owners often feature sales or deals on "Small Business Saturday" to encourage shoppers to visit their stores, restaurants, or websites. Mayor Pennington's proclamation noted that 58% of shoppers surveyed reported that they shopped online with a small business and 54% reported dining or ordering takeout from small restaurants or bars on Small Business Saturday in 2021. 

Mayor Pennington presented the proclamation to Candace Eaton, the executive director of the Downtown Dalton Development Authority. 

Mayor Pennington's proclamation reads: 

WHEREAS, according to the United States Small Business Administration, there are 32.5 million small businesses in the United States that employ 46.8% of the employees in the private sector; and

WHEREAS, 79% of consumers understand the importance of supporting the small businesses in their community on Small Business Saturday, 70% report the day makes them want to encourage others to Shop Small, independently-owned retailers, and 66% report that the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long; and

WHEREAS, 58% of shoppers reported they shopped online with a small business and 54% reported they dined or ordered takeout from a small restaurant, bar, or café on Small Business Saturday in 2021; and

WHEREAS, the City of Dalton supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy, and preserve our communities; and

WHEREAS, advocacy groups as well as public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, I, Mayor David Pennington, hereby proclaim November 26, 2022, as “SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY” in the City of Dalton and urge our citizens to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.