Today is Small Business Saturday with the emphasis of getting holiday gifts from small, local businesses. Main Street Washington Director Sarah Grunewaldt says it is important to support local businesses, especially this year, “It’s become very clear throughout this very challenging year for all industry types that small businesses are the heartbeat of our community. They are the ones that support your booster clubs, and your kids’ sports programs and dance programs, and after proms, and they have had a very challenging year. They have had to be very creative. And the people who have won this year have been companies who don’t contribute anything to our community but because they are easy to use they have succeeded quite well. And so I think it’s really important for us to remember that when we are going Christmas shopping for our families and our friends that have done the hard work of finding awesome products for you, awesome gifts for your family.”

She says many of the businesses in the downtown district – shops and restaurants alike – have found ways to be creative to reach customers safely. Check their social media pages and websites to place online orders, or call and ask for assistance shopping.

Grunewaldt says Main Street Washington and the City Council have even gone one step further to make it easier for shoppers, “We had approached City Council and the city maintenance department about getting some cones so that the businesses and restaurants could block off a single parking spot in front of their business for curbside pickup. So, if you order to-go food from a restaurant, you just pull in, call their phone number and say, ‘Hey, I’m out front and ready for my order.’ And they’ll run it out to your car.” The same can be done with shops. The contactless curbside pickup spots are designated with a parking cone and a sign.

Remember to think big and shop small this holiday season.