In Somerville, registers were ringing, with Bow Market jam-packed with patrons, supporting the businesses. "Yeah, getting cute things for my co-workers and getting some ideas for my sister here too," Ashley Watterson laughed as she and her sister Shannon teamed up to check off their Christmas lists. Shannon Watterson shared with CBS News Boston, "I try to be more thoughtful with my presents and get some local things."
For newly minted proprietors like Erica Russom, who just unveiled her Faux Chocolate store a week and a half ago, the support couldn't be more crucial. Russom told CBS News Boston, "Small business means a lot to me right now. I am just getting started. Trying to build my product and get enough for everyone for the holiday season." According to Forbes, small businesses—those unsung heroes fueling the American story—comprise 99.9% of U.S. businesses and employ nearly half of the private sector.
Amidst the trend of digital carts and one-click purchases, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce throws down a staggering statistic: for every dollar spent at a small business, an average of $0.67 stays in the local neighborhood. Almost prophetically, shoppers like Sean Anderson acknowledge this. In a statement obtained by CBS News Boston, Anderson said, "I think it's extremely important. We want these small businesses around. We wanna just support them, but it also creates a great atmosphere for us. There are some benefits to the bigger retailers you don't get what you get here with this small chocolate."
Forging ahead, Small Business Saturday, an initiative launched by American Express in 2010, continues to gather steam. "It's the single largest day of the year for small businesses and it sets the tone for the entire holiday season," Jen Palacio, who runs Tiny Turns Papery, enthused to CBS News Boston.
The empirical success of last year—with a spend near $18 billion among independent retailers and restaurants as reported by Forbes.
