Small Business Saturday in Detroit
DETROIT – Detroit’s retail community is embracing Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, by offering a variety of discounts, specials and activities for the entire family. Businesses throughout the city are asking residents to shop small for all of their holiday gift-giving needs, from every-day items to unique holiday treasures.
Kevin Johnson, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) president and CEO, said he will wait until Saturday to start his holiday shopping in Detroit.
“Detroit’s commercial corridors are seeing new life with small businesses of all types,” said Johnson. “We have businesses that have been serving our neighborhoods for generations, and some that are opening their doors for the first time. All of them are important to ensuring that residents have the goods and services they need and deserve. Small Business Saturday is the perfect time to thank Detroit’s small business owners with your holiday shopping dollars.”
In many retail areas, select businesses are hosting “pop-up” opportunities for local vendors without brick-and-mortar stores. Shop Small in Grandmont Rosedale, for example, will feature more than 25 vendors selling locally sourced gifts and food items. Other businesses will host dance performances, book signings and free childcare.
“Shop Small in Grandmont Rosedale is celebrating its fourth holiday event,” said Cody Williams, owner of Town Hall Café (formerly Always Brewing Detroit) and President of the Grand River Business Association. “Grandmont Rosedale is a destination neighborhood with a thriving retail community. Shoppers are invited to spend the day enjoying the many shops, restaurants and fun activities from Evergreen to Asbury Park.”
Shop Local with DEGC’s Holiday Gift Guide
To help shoppers buy locally and stay on a budget, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation has created the 2018 Holiday Gift Guide. The guide lists 50 gifts priced at under $50 dollars – all available from Detroit retailers.
“Spending in the city is just one more way to strengthen our communities,” said Mike Rafferty, DEGC vice president, Small Business Services. “In addition to helping Detroit, you’ll find a variety of practical, unique and fun items all value priced. We’re making shopping local, easy and stress-free, to help everyone enjoy holidays, including our neighborhoods’ cherished small business owners.”
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 to encourage customers to shop locally rather than at malls and big-box stores. Since then, Small Business Saturday has taken its place between Black Friday and Cyber Monday as one of the holiday’s most important shopping days.
The Shop Small movement has gained momentum in Detroit throughout the year.
“We hope this event will introduce everyone to the incredible retail that exists in Detroit and encourage people to shop small all year long,” Rafferty said. “If we want to see more retail in the city, we have the responsibility to support local businesses. These stores stabilize our communities and make our neighborhoods strong.”
Information on Detroit’s Small Business Saturday, a complete list of participating businesses and specific retailer offerings is located at http://www.degc.org/small-business-saturday/. The Holiday Gift Guide is available for download at http://www.degc.org/holiday-gift-guide/.
About the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is a non-profit organization that serves as the lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction and economic development initiatives in Detroit. DEGC is led by a board comprised of business, civic, labor and community leaders. Its staff provides services for key public authorities that offer tax credits and other forms of financing for projects that bring new jobs or economic activity to the city. DEGC also manages important initiatives to support small businesses, such as Motor City Match and Motor City Re-Store, and offers programs for existing businesses to enter into the global market, like Built in Detroit.
About Motor City Match
Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Competitive financial assistance is supported by a broad partnership of Southeast Michigan community development financial institutions and corporations including, Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, Ford Foundation, Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Foundation, Hudson Webber Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, New Economy Initiative and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Motor City Match applications are available quarterly. The next window for building and business owners to apply will be November 30, to January 4, 2019. Application details are available at www.MotorCityMatch.com
About Motor City Re-Store
Motor City Re-Store is managed by the Small Business team at the DEGC and is open to entrepreneurs who are currently open and operating a commercial storefront in the city of Detroit, and their landlords. It is supported by a combination of Community Development Block Grant funds and other funders. The Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) has stewardship of the public funds and has approved funding to develop the program. It approved the Round 1 winners during its meeting earlier today.
Motor City Re-Store will accept applications for Round 7 from December 1, to January 4. Business owners and landlords must apply jointly for 50 percent matching grants up to $25,000. Multiple businesses applying as a group are eligible for 75 percent matching grants. Applications can be made at www.motorcity-restore.com.
