Many Iowans are out and about shopping for Black Friday deals today, but don’t forget to help out the local economy tomorrow as well.  Saturday, November 23rd, is designated as Small Business Saturday, a day to focus on supplementing your holiday gift shopping by spending money at your local shops.  Perry Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson says that Small Business Saturday has been in the works for some time in Perry and they have been using several media outlets to spread the word.  Wilson says that any way they can get the word out and promote shopping local is a good thing.  “Another great marketing piece that we just received were some welcome mats and you might see blue welcome mats at the entrance of many retailers,” Wilson explains . Wilson calls Small Business Saturday a great holiday experience and wants to make it a holiday tradition in Perry.

Jefferson has a Small Business Saturday lined up as well and Greene County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Paxton says that a variety of businesses in downtown Jefferson, particularly around the square will be participating.  “They’re offering things like discounts on a lot of products, gift wrapping, parking,” Paxton explains, “And doing a downtown food court where a lot of restaurants are getting together to be open to support everybody in the downtown.”  Paxton pointed out that it is not just the businesses on the square that are participating and called this time period critical to small businesses and their bottom line.  Paxton also said that in a show of support for Small Business Saturday that small business workers got together and had a picture taken from the Bell Tower.