(WWJ) -- Black Friday is right around the corner, but don’t forget about the “little guys” this holiday season.
The season is officially underway and Macomb County is once again encouraging people to shop locally.
The county’s Shop Local Macomb campaign highlights small and independently-owned businesses in the community, many of which are continuing to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign begins Thursday and runs through Dec. 5.
While everyone knows about Black Friday’s “doorbusters," crazy deals -- crazy *people* -- many locally owned stores throughout Michigan and the rest of the country have been participating in campaigns like “Small Business Saturday” on the following day.
In an effort to support those small businesses, Macomb County’s Vicky Rowinski says they use the Shop Local Macomb campaign to promote the impact small businesses have on the community.
“And it gives the ability for the businesses to get out there, promote their products and services, what they’re doing locally for the community,” Rowinski told WWJ. “And we find that there’s so much enthusiasm. We’re excited to host this campaign and get some of those local dollars into our community.”
Many of those small, independent businesses can offer things the big-box stores can’t, Rowinski says -- unique, locally made products.
“A lot of times these businesses are very crafty. They’re making their own products, so not only are you shopping locally, it’s also made here locally,” she said.
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Local shoppers this holiday season could have a chance to get rewarded for supporting small business, too. Shoppers will simply need to snap a photo of them shopping with a local retailer, submit it on MakeMacombYourHome.com and share it on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #ShopLocalMacomb.
Businesses highlighted by the winners will also have a chance to win a $1,000 grant.
Officials say there are nearly 1,600 independently owned and operated retailers in Macomb County.
“These unique stores enhance our main streets and help create a distinct sense of place for each of Macomb's 27 communities,” the county’s website says.
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