Small Business Saturday 2018: Who You Can Support In Indy-Area

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — You may not realize it, but our independently owned boutiques, gift shops and mom-and-pop hardware stores struggle mightily to compete against malls, big box stores and online retailers. Small Business Saturday, held annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, was created to give these smaller enterprises a boost, and across the Indianapolis area, including Fishers, several locally owned businesses are participating in the Nov. 24 event.

Here they are, including several linked with their websites:

• Blue Moon Pottery - Noblesville
• Bokay Florist -Indianapolis
• Broad Ripple Village Association - Indianapolis
• Carmel City Center - Carmel
• City Of Fishers - Fishers (See below)
• Gallery 116 - Fishers
• Kayla Arnold - Indianapolis
• Kiln Creations Llc - Noblesville
• Kira Zagorc - Indianapolis
• Noblesville Main Street - Noblesville
• Old Picket Fence - Noblesville
• Perfect Pick By Ebony Nicole - Indianapolis
• Premier Trolley Company - Noblesville
• Scrub Identity - Indianapolis
• Second Stories Antiques, Gifts & Vintage Wares - Mccordsville

Tell Us: Did we miss any Small Business Saturday events in central Indiana? Tell us about them in the comments, or better yet, post them directly on Patch.

American Express established Small Business Saturday in 2010 to help local businesses reeling from the Great Recession. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution a year later encouraging businesses in all 50 states to participate in what has morphed into a nationwide “shop small” movement. Last year, some 7,200 local businesses in all 50 states participated.

What’s happened during the history of Small Business Saturday has helped independent retailers and restaurants keep their doors open. Their customers have spent an estimated $85 billion during the first eight Small Business Saturday events, according to American Express.

“Shopping small has a significant and positive effect on local communities, and we hope Small Business Saturday will help to amplify that effect during the crucial holiday shopping season,” Elizabeth Rutledge, chief marketing officer at American Express, said in a statement. “When we spend local, small businesses thrive. And when small businesses thrive, we all thrive.”

A new study commissioned by American Express shows that U.S. small businesses contribute $4.8 trillion to the GDP, equivalent to that of Japan, which has the third-largest economy in the world. The Small Business Economic Impact Study takes a county-level look at the economic benefits of shopping locally and how vital small businesses are to communities.

Among the findings:

• An average of two-thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses in the United States stays in the community.
• Every dollar spent at a small business creates an additional 50 cents in local business activity as a result of employee spending and businesses purchasing local goods and services.
• In addition to small businesses directly employing members of the community, spending by those small businesses and their employees in the area also supports jobs. In fact, the study found, for every 10 jobs at a small business, another seven are supported in the local community.

This year, 97 percent of consumers surveyed by American Express and its partner, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said they think Small Business Saturday has improved their communities. Another 91 percent think it’s more important than ever to support small businesses this holiday season, and 83 percent plan to do at least some of their holiday shopping at independently owned retailers or restaurants, either in person or online.

As shopping habits further shift from brick-and-mortar stores to online marketplaces, nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said they’ll seek out small, independently owned retailers while they’re perusing the internet. Among them, 59 percent say they’ll shop online on Small Business Saturday, and 40 percent said they plan to shop on a small retailer’s website on Cyber Monday, observed on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Retailers that buy in bulk may be able offer a lower price — or not — but there’s more at stake for independent businesses.

“For small business owners, their business is not just a business,” American Express says. “To them, it is an extension of who they are. Giving the local businesses within your community a chance is crucial to not only their survival, but to give them an opportunity to win you over as a customer.”

In Fishers:

Shop Fishers, the citywide celebration of Small Business Saturday, is back for its fifth year. Participating businesses around Fishers will offer special deals and promotions to help celebrate the nationwide initiative to shop small and shop local, according to a release.

The Fishers Winter Farmers' Market will join the celebration, which is a new addition this year. The first 50 market shoppers will receive $5 in Market Bucks to be redeemed at any market vendors, and several vendors are offering specials of their own, event organizers said. The market is open 9 a.m. until noon at Holland Park, at 1 Park Drive, Fishers. (Get Fishers and local news delivered straight to your inbox with the free Fishers Patch daily newsletter and breaking news alerts here and don't forget to 'like' Fishers Patch on Facebook).

Another new addition to this year's event is the "Shop Fishers Music Hall," which the City said is a special pop-up lounge for shoppers conveniently located in the heart of downtown Fishers in City Hall, located at 1 Municipal Drive. Here is where you can take a break from shopping and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, listen to by live music from the local performing arts organization, Fishers Music Works. There will also be carolers, soloists, a jazz band, and other musicians and entertainers will take to the City Hall stage to perform their holiday favorites and seasonal tunes.

This year's Shop Fishers business promotions include:

- AIR-TAN: Buy 1 get 1 free

- *ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFÉ: $10 bounce back card for every $50 in gift cards purchase

- BLUSH SALON BOUTIQUE: 15% off boutique items

- BRIXX WOOD FIRED PIZZA: Buy two pizzas with the purchase of two beverages and get one pizza free

- *BURN BOOT CAMP FISHERS: Free 14 Day Test Drive. Take the Raise the Bar Challenge

- C.R. HEROES FAMILY PUB: $5 holiday gift certificate with every $25 in gift certificates purchased

- DOTTIE COUTURE BOUTIQUE: 20% off purchase (11/24 through 11/25)

- FISHERS DO IT CENTER: Pick up holiday décor, winter flowers and plants, and hardware items

- FISHERS FARMERS' MARKET: First 50 customers receive $5 in Market Bucks to redeem at market vendors. Select vendors will also be offering their own specials, including:

- * CIRCLE CITY KOMBUCHA: Buy 2 growler fills and get a free reusable cup ($5 refill for next visit)

- * GARCIA'S GARDENS: Join the Market Club for 10% off produce at the farm and at all participating Farmers' Markets

- * GRACE AND TRUTH FARMS: 20% off chicken, pork, beef, and eggs

- * HARVEST COFFEE & TEA: Specialty pricing on brewed coffee for $2.25 and coffee beans for $14, and a special offer on coffee mugs

- * LAZY LABS BAKERY: $1 off a half pound of dog treats

- * MERINGUE ARTISIAN CAKE: 30% off all products

- FISHERS YMCA: No joining fee (11/23 through 11/25)

- GALLERY 116: 20% off the item of your choice

- *GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL FISHERS: Free holiday package including an exclusive board book, bath/pool toy, goggles, and swim tote when you purchase two months of swim lessons (through 12/30 or while supplies last)

- *HANDEL'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM: 20% off gift cards and coins

- LILY & SPARROW BOUTIQUE: 30% off entire purchase from 9-10 a.m. 25% off from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 20% off from 2-6 p.m. Gift with purchase over $100

- MCNAMARA FLORIST: Buy one get one 50% off on all ornaments (11/23 through 11/25)

- MJ LAYNE: Free gift with purchase over $50 while supplies last

- PEARL STREET PIZZERIA & PUB: Half price appetizers from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Must mention ShopFishers. Valid for dine in only

- PETSUITES PET RESORT & SPA FISHERS: 20% off any boarding, daycare, or grooming services booked before December 1. Does not include holiday stays. Limited one per client. Cannot be combined with other offers. Must mention Shop Fishers

- PURE EATERY: Half price bottles of wine

- ROMAN & LEO: 20% off the entire store. Gift with purchase, treats, and giveaways

- SHINE DESIGN HOME: 20% off entire store, including sale items

- *SKY ZONE FISHERS: $30 gift card sale. Receive a free pair of Sky Socks and 30-minute pass with the purchase of a holiday gift card

- *SPAVIA FISHERS: Get the Relax Package, including a 60-minute signature massage and a 50-minute facial, for $128 (regularly $198). Buy $150 in gift cards and receive a free candle

- STATE OF GRACE BOUTIQUE: 10% off the entire store (excluding home décor). Mimosas from 10 a.m. until noon and wine from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

- STELLA & NASH: $10 off when you spend $50 and $20 off when you spend $100. First 20 guests who spend over $50 receive a free Pom Beanie Hat

- TANGERINE CARDS & GIFTS: 20% off all jewelry, scarves, tops, and bottoms

- TAYLOR'S BAKERY: Buy one get one free on all cookies

- *THE BREWSLINE: Use promo code LOCAL to save 20% on bookings through December 31 at brewsline.com

- THE ESCAPE ROOM FISHERS: Use promo code SHOP2018 for $5 off per ticket in one room. Tickets must be purchased online on November 24 at escaperoom.us.com and may be purchased for any ticketed date/time prior to February 1, 2019. Valid at Fishers and Indianapolis locations only

- THE WELL COFFEEHOUSE FISHERS: 10% off all beverages

- THE WINE GUY AT GRAPEVINE COTTAGE: 25% off entire cheese selection

- TWIGS & TEA: 10% off purchase

- *VETCHECK PET URGENT CARE CENTER: Get 30% off heart worm/flea/tick prevention. Free wellness office visit for all pets in family

* = Promotion runs through December 31, 2018.

Download the Nickel Plate District App for an event map, list of discounts, and more. Find more information at fishers.in.us/ShopFishers.

Image via Shutterstock