Chicago’s small-business owners have their day amid the holiday hoopla

by David Roeder / Chicago Sun Times / November 24, 2023

Big-box chains still draw the crowds, but many shoppers prefer to support local merchants. They’re getting a push from Chicago-area festivities planned for Small Business Saturday.

On your mark … get set … shop!

But wait a minute — haven’t we been holiday shopping for some time? Black Friday used to be an eagerly awaited day for some, but now retailers have been pushing Black Friday deals since before Halloween.

The post-Thanksgiving spending season has changed a lot over the years. Yes, the big-box titans are primed for a blitz of customers, but other competitive factors are in play. Cyber Monday is huge, but experts also cite growing interest in supporting local merchants, typified by Small Business Saturday.

Check with any local chamber of commerce, and you’re liable to find events and promotions tied to the coming weekend.

In Lincoln Square on the North Side, for example, the community plans a tree lighting ceremony and caroling to get people in the spirit.

Among the storeowners anticipating the occasion is Jenny Beorkrem, owner of the gift shop Neighborly at 4710 N. Lincoln Ave., which specializes in home goods and artwork, some with a Chicago theme. She said her business has picked up through the pandemic the last two or three years.

“We saw a shift during the pandemic of people being more aware of small businesses,” she said. Read more HERE