According to www.sba.gov Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since 2011. It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season, taking place each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year Jo Ann Lane, Benton County’s Economic Development Director, is giving county shoppers a bonus for choosing to shop at local on November 30 by offering families a $10 voucher to be used at participating businesses. The program is called Benton County Bucks.
“I have been wanting to do something for Small Business Saturday,” said Lane. “Black Friday focuses on big shops, and this is a way to focus on small businesses.
We have unique small businesses in our county and these $10 vouchers are to encourage local shopping. We also focus on small businesses other times of the year by holding Boutique Crawl events in the spring and fall.”
Several small businesses were contacted to get their take on Benton County Bucks. Judy Smasal, owner of Handel Haus in Cole Camp, said that the Benton County Bucks event is a fantastic idea, and she appreciates the support of the county for small business. She said Handel Hause will have a sale that day of 20 percent off all Christmas purchases. She said that there will be a great deal of apparel and decorations for sale.
A representative of Sportsman Outfitters in Warsaw said Benton County Bucks is something new and they are trying it out. She said that this time of year shoppers are probably looking for ammo and fishing supplies. She said the store will have a lot of items for stocking stuffers.
The Lincoln Antique Mall in Lincoln is very optimistic and excited about Small Business Saturday and a representative of the mall said that the more information there is about the Benton County Bucks, the more customers that might come in.
There are rules associated with participation in this promotion. Vouchers must be picked up at either Citizens-Farmers Bank (Main Location) in Cole Camp, Lincoln City Hall, or the Warsaw Community building. Pick-up time starts at 10 A.M. on November 30 and vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each Benton County Buck is worth $10 and customers must spend at least $10 with no cash back allowed. One Benton County Buck is allowed per family, and one per purchase.
Small businesses benefit not only from the possibility of many customers on Saturday, but when they turn in their vouchers that were spent in their stores, they will be reimbursed $10 for each “buck.”
The following business are accepting Benton County Bucks on November 30: Palo Pinto Ranch Store, Dandy’s Place, and Lincoln Antique Mall in Lincoln; Handel Haus, Mid Mo Trends, The Hotel Belville, and Missouri Made Shop & Comfort Café in Cole Camp; Creative Pallet, Warsaw Antique Mall, Country Charm, Main Event Wedding Boutique and Event Rental, LOZ Outfitters, The Velvet Studio, The Charming Market, Sportsman Outfitters, and Opps! I Arted Gallery & Boutique in Warsaw.
