The Baraga County Chamber of Commerce will be welcoming shoppers outside its L’Anse headquarters for Small Business Saturday. A booth will be set up with refreshments and coupons to area stores. There will also be an opportunity to register to win $25 in Baraga Bucks, which act as a gift certificate at member businesses.

“At the Chamber, we are always striving to grow, enhance, and support a vibrant business climate in Baraga County. Small Business Saturday is an event that calls attention to supporting our locally-owned businesses”, Dianne Koskinen of the Chamber says. “My hope is this event reminds people to shop local not only on Small Business Saturday but to continue the practice throughout the year.”

The Keweenaw Chamber will have similar opportunities available outside its downtown Houghton location. Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010 as an alternative to Black Friday, which traditionally benefits large department stores and multinational corporations.

The full release is below.

The Baraga County Chamber of Commerce has announced it will celebrate Small Business Saturday with official endorsement from the nationally-recognized “Shop Small” campaign. The event, which takes place on November 27 this year, encourages consumers to support local businesses by shopping small. American Express launched this shopping holiday in 2010, as a way of redirecting holiday shopping to local stores. A decade later, it’s observed in all 50 states, and in 2011, the Senate passed a resolution recognizing Small Business Saturday.

Refreshments, a coupon sheet of local savings, and a chance to win $25 in Baraga Bucks will be available at the Shop Small Welcome Station located at the Baraga County Chamber office at 1 N. Main St in L’Anse from 10 am to 2 pm. The Chamber encourages everyone to stop in.

“At the Chamber, we are always striving to grow, enhance, and support a vibrant business climate in Baraga County. Small Business Saturday is an event that calls attention to supporting our locally-owned businesses”, Dianne Koskinen of the Chamber says. “My hope is this event reminds people to shop local not only on Small Business Saturday but to continue the practice throughout the year.”