Just My Opinion - by Mary Kilen
The Holiday Season Kicks Off
Saturday, Nov. 29 will be the big kick off to the holiday season in Stanley with the annual Parade of Lights starting at 6:00 p.m. on Main Street. This is always one of my favorite events of the holiday season. This is a great day to be in town to also visit all of the great businesses that Stanley has to offer. Saturday is also Small Business Saturday with the annual Vendor/Craft Fair and local businesses offering special deals. This date is designed to be a day to celebrate your small businesses after the craziness of Black Friday is over.
Small Business Saturday was an idea created by American Express on November 27, 2010. The campaign launched in order to help small businesses gain additional exposure and to change the way consumers shop within their own community during the holiday season. In 2011, the day became official when Washington State mayors, governors, senators, and President Obama shared their support for Small Business Saturday.
As the day began to pick up more traction, in 2012 American Express encouraged all small business owners to take charge and promote their business. The credit card company offered small business owners free, personalized ads to spread across the web. That year, an estimated $5.5 billion was spent across the nation at independent businesses. By 2013, neighborhoods began celebrating the day, pledging support to the local businesses and organizations.
As the support and participation has continued to grow, the numbers are expected to rise as more consumers continue to care just as much about the shopping experience as the gifts they’re purchasing.
Shopping local matters. It supports a community’s well-being while keeping dollars in the local economy. That in turn supports jobs and wages and creates sustainability in small businesses.
This year, we received some information in the email from the NFIB on Small Business Saturday and I will share that with you here.
“Support North Dakota Small Businesses on Small Business Saturday”
Small Business Saturday will be held on Main Streets
throughout North Dakota on November 29th
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), North Dakota’s leading small business advocacy organization, encourages shoppers to support small businesses on November 29, 2025.
“North Dakota is strong and resilient, and so are our small business owners,” said NFIB North Dakota State Director Don Larson. “Show your appreciation for their independent spirit on Small Business Saturday and invest in the heart of our communities.”
According to October’s NFIB Small Business Optimism report, a net negative 13% of all small business owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down 6 points from September. Small Business Saturday presents an opportunity to boost sales and the overall economy.
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 to help local shops and restaurants bring in more customers after the Great Recession. Last year, shoppers spent an estimated $22 billion at locally owned businesses nationwide. Every purchase made on November 29th sends a powerful, localized investment directly into the heart of our communities.
Frankly, I love the idea of Small Business Saturday. Now more than ever, local businesses are relying on their customers to support them as we enter the Christmas season. We sometimes take our local businesses for granted. I get it. Sometimes we’re looking to save a few bucks, so we hit up the big box stores. Or maybe, we were in Minot anyway, so we wandered in and picked up way more than we intended. We all do it. Sometimes we have no choice. There are some things that you need to go to a bigger store to get.
What we need to think about, though, is what we can get at home. If we do not support our local businesses, we could lose them. Now, more than ever, not only do our local businesses need us but we also need them. Your local businesses will do their best to make sure you have what you need. They are the ones that will make a local delivery. What will you do if they are gone?
This year, think local. Shop local. Invest in your community and the businesses that have also invested in the community, organizations, schools and more. Your local businesses need you and it is time to step up to the plate and answer their call.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As I write my column on Monday, I’m busy already thinking about Thanksgiving Day plans. My turkey has been thawing in the refrigerator since Saturday. With Amanda, Zach and the kids coming, I opted for a bigger turkey this year. Because of its size, it should still be thawed by Thursday. If it’s not, cold water baths for turkeys is common at our house because I always seem to not take the bird out of the freezer soon enough. My meal is planned and I think I have most of what I will need in the house, but I’m sure I’ll be back at the store at least once or twice for something I missed.
Meanwhile, while I’m making all these plans, the weatherman is not my favorite person today. As I write my column, the skies are starting to get heavier. Dale is out putting the plow attachment on his Polaris. I don’t know if we will get just a few inches of snow or a lot of snow. I do know that they are saying it will come with wind. All of that could mean that Amanda, Zach and the kids will end up staying put in Bismarck. I really hope not!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers! May you make time in all of the hustle and bustle to be thankful for the gifts you have been given.