Local Storefronts Gear Up for Small Business Saturday - November 30

MAINE - Local businesses across Maine are preparing for a string of busy shopping days. Small Business Saturday represents a local counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday - both of which typically generate huge revenue for national Big Box stores. The buy-local initiative has quickly become quite a tradition in Maine's holiday shopping experience.

"Small Business Saturday is all about supporting your neighbors, the tens of thousands of small business owners in communities all across Maine," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "We have many chances year-round to shop local, but the holiday season is an especially important time to celebrate and support our local Maine merchants."

Hundreds of Maine artisans and merchants are represented by one local business, Lisa-Marie's Made in Maine, located in Bath and Portland. "On Friday shoppers are focusing primarily on the national chain stores," said owner, Lisa-Marie Stewart. "On Saturday it's our turn, as the spotlight shifts to Maine's small businesses. Honestly, it's the one day I don't feel like I need to do anything extra, because the customers are out there encouraging us and supporting us, saying ‘I waited until today because it's Small Business Saturday'."

DECD encourages everyone to support their local economy and embrace our homegrown entrepreneurial spirit. Be it an elaborate original oil painting or something as simple as sea salt, the true quality of Maine is best discovered on its small streets and storefronts.