[MCN] News Alert // Holiday Shopping The Best At Locally-Owned Small Businesses

Mon Nov 16 16:00:00 EST 2020

Local Media

November 16, 2020

*HOLIDAY SHOPPING THE BEST AT LOCALLY-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES*

*Shop Small Saturday Pivots to Small Business Season in Missoula*

Small businesses are the backbone of the Missoula-area economy, and many
locally-owned small businesses have been drastically impacted by the
pandemic. This holiday season, all Missoulians are encouraged to support
our local economy and small businesses by shopping and dining in Downtown
Missoula during *Small Business Season*, and the 2020 slogan for the
campaign is “Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is!”

Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 to encourage people across the
country to support small businesses. As a counter to Black Friday following
the Great Recession, the Shop Small Movement grew from one company’s
promotion to a nationwide-movement to support small businesses on Main
Streets and in downtowns across America.

Missoulians have been celebrating and supporting small, locally-owned
businesses since the 1970s. However, the last 15 years have seen a more
finite focus on how small businesses - created and sustained by local
Missoulians - build strength, diversity, creativity and sustainability in
our local economy. A stronger localized economy, in turn, helps protect and
insulate our community from the impacts of a national economic downturn.

Spending at locally-owned small businesses keeps dollars circulating in our
own community and economy. Supporting our neighbors and friends who own
local businesses supports those who give time and time again to our local
non-profits, schools, sports teams and community initiatives. During times
of crisis – such as the COVID pandemic – supporting small businesses in
Missoula means those businesses can keep their doors open, their people
employed and their families fed.

This year in Missoula Small Business Saturday has transformed into *Small
Business Season*, commencing on Saturday, Nov. 21 and carrying on through
Wednesday, Dec. 23. Downtown businesses are extending hours of operation,
offering special promotions, and providing personal touches and connections
along the way.

Alongside nearly 200 small restaurants and retail stores, the Missoula
Downtown Association (MDA) will be offering special gifts, discounts and
prizes for those who join in the movement to “Put Your Money Where Your
Heart Is.” Shop & Dine Headquarters will be at the corner of Higgins and
Main on Saturdays from 10am-2pm on November 28, December 5, and December
12. Coupons for complimentary hot chocolate, branded shopping bags and
handouts on the Downtown specials will be available for pickup in front of
the MSO Hub at 140 North Higgins.

“This is a critical time for our Downtown bars, restaurants and retail
stores,” said Bob McGowan, President of the MDA Board of Directors. “We
want our community to know this: where they spend their dollars matters,
and our neighbors and friends need our spending now more than ever! Keeping
Missoulians employed and our small businesses open and paying the bills –
while ensuring we do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID – is really
important. It’s up to us!

“Downtown businesses are open and ready to serve our community,” McGowan
added. “We are working together to ensure people wear their masks
appropriately in public spaces and stay six feet apart. We have a lot of
great holiday activities happening in Downtown this year that will allow
families and small groups of friends to enjoy Downtown without mass
gatherings.”

Downtown businesses have a multitude of shopping and dining options,
including grab and go, curbside pickup, private shopping appointments,
pay-it-forward meals, gift cards, and other promotions. For more
information on specific specials during the Small Business Season, follow
Missoula Downtown on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.missouladowntown.com.

In addition to *Small Business Season*, the Downtown Missoula Window
Decorating Contest will be open for public voting on Friday, Nov. 27 and
continue on through Tuesday, Dec. 15. Typically more than 30 Downtown
businesses have entered to win one of the six special awards, presented
annually by the Missoula Downtown Association, based upon public votes.

Downtown Missoula will also showcase new holiday lighting season, alongside
the Festival of Trees (Nov. 27-Dec. 6) and the REVERSE Parade of Lights on
December 5.

For more information on Small Business Season and other activities
happening in Downtown Missoula, visit www.missouladowntown.com, or call the
Downtown Missoula Partnership office at 406-543-4238.

*Bram Moore*

*Operations Coordinator*

Downtown Missoula Partnership

218 E Main | Missoula, MT

406.543.4238 | missouladowntown.com <http://www.missouladowntown.com/>
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