From The New Yorker, circa 1980’s (presumably written by an independent retailer whose name is missing from the piece):
A Nation of Shopkeepers
England has been called “a nation of shopkeepers,” and rightly so. We know a man living in London who comes home very Thursday to find his refrigerator newly stocked by the grocer across the street. This particular grocery store is about the size and shape of a butler’s pantry, presided over by a Dickensian character named Hughes. [click here to continue…]
Just learned about this from a couple of retailers I met during The 3/50 Project Northern California Tour earlier this year. The fine folks of Willows, CA put on an annual holiday parade, which Holly and Dolores, owners of Gathering Better Junque, saw as an opportunity to remind residents to support their local, independent brick and mortar merchants.
Gotta tell you, when I put the graphics together for the Big Things campaign, it never occurred to me just how creative you’d get with the theme. From Atchison, KS Chamber adorning an entire stage in purple and gold packages to the Gathering Better Junque Danali (complete with a fully lit Christmas tree and our Big Things posters), well…color me impressed.
And proud.
And touched.
You folks are what makes the Project sing. Thanks for your glorious voices and unbridled enthusiasm; that’s what makes this work!
Just ran across this, thanks to a note from a retailer in Michigan. Turns out someone in Detroit realized the best way to bring customers through the doors of local, independent retailers was to haul them there by the busload.
Pretty creative, if you ask me.
Which begs the question: Would this work for The 3/50 Project? Is there a bus line somewhere that would be willing to donate the rides if someone would fill them up?
If anyone has an idea on this one, lay it on me. Sounds like a wildly creative promotion the Project would be happy to endorse, promote, and get rolling full steam ahead next December.
Another one of the interviews on Small Business Saturday…. Big thanks to Jimmie at Diamonds and Dials on Harold Square for allowing us to turn the store into a pop-up television studio. We had fun!
Please note: As of summer 2011, neither I or The 3/50 Project support SBS. For an explanation, please see this.
Yesterday’s online edition of The Wall Street Journal included a great piece about why it’s better to holiday shop with independent, locally owned brick and mortar merchants. If you missed it, check the article out here.
Thanks to the team of WSJ editors who reminded us all why going “indie” is the best bet. After all, which expression do you want to hear after someone’s opened your gift:
“This is so cool! Where in the world did you find it?”
or
“I already have one”
“I’ve been seeing this everywhere.”
“I remember from an online clearance sale.”
“Wasn’t this the doorbuster deal at Big Box XYZ?”
Okay folks. Small Business Saturday is behind us. So what next?
Well, the Big Things campaign is still in full swing, reminding consumers that locally owned, independent brick and mortar businesses have lots to offer. If you haven’t yet, check it out, print it out, and start spreading the word. We only have a few weeks of holiday shopping and dining left to wrap our arms around, so let’s do this thing!
Please note: As of summer 2011, neither I nor The 3/50 Project support SBS. For an explanation, please see this. If I’d known then what I know now….
Are you half as excited as me about The 3/50 Project and Small Business Saturday getting facetime on Fox & Friends this Saturday morning? Well…..gonna have to be a teeny bit more patient since the time slot just slipped back an hour (which I see as a good thing, given how many folks will be lounging around that morning, thanks to the holiday).
Adjust your TiVo accordingly:
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Fox & Friends
Fox News Network (national, not the local stations)
6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Small Business Saturday segment: Approximately 7:45 a.m.8:40 a.m. EST*
* This is shown as EST, but most? all? times zones adjust going west (ex: it airs from 6:00-9:00 in CST zone too, with a one hour time delay). Check your listings, and be sure to look for the national Fox News channel…not your local Fox affiliate.
Now…how am I going to keep my feet on the ground for another two days??? Sheesh, this is exciting!
From The New Yorker, circa 1980’s (presumably written by an independent retailer whose name is missing from the piece):
Just learned about this from a couple of retailers I met during 
Just ran across 
Yesterday’s online edition of The Wall Street Journal included a great piece about why it’s better to holiday shop with independent, locally owned brick and mortar merchants. If you missed it, check the article out 
Okay folks. Small Business Saturday is behind us. So what next?
