Wheeling Heritage Encourages Local Businesses to Join 2023 Shop Small Catalog
In an effort to bolster the local economy during the upcoming holiday season, Wheeling Heritage is extending an invitation to small business owners in Wheeling to be part of their 2023 Shop Small Catalog. This catalog will serve as a guide to the array of offerings from Wheeling’s local entrepreneurs. It will be accessible both digitally and in print in the week leading up to Small Business Saturday (Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023).
Small Business Saturday, established in 2010 by American Express, is a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting and promoting local businesses during the holiday shopping season. Held annually on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, it encourages consumers to shop at independent retailers, restaurants, and small enterprises in their communities. According to recent data, communities that actively support local businesses through initiatives like Small Business Saturday see an average increase of 7% in local sales, amounting to an estimated $14.3 billion nationwide. Additionally, a staggering 67 cents of every dollar spent at a local business remains within the community, further strengthening our local economic ecosystem.
The Shop Small Catalog is just one part of Wheeling Heritage’s comprehensive strategy to empower and uplift our small business community. Collaborating closely with partners including the City of Wheeling, Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), Centre Market, Visit Wheeling, and the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, we are working to create a unified Small Business Saturday marketing campaign. This initiative will be complemented by a series of activities for the community to participate in on Small Business Saturday, including an ice rink on Market Plaza and a Downtown trolley route provided by the City of Wheeling.
“As a West Virginia Main Street community, Small Business Saturday is one of our favorite days of the year to show some extra love to all of the businesses that make Wheeling such a special place,” said Alex Panas, program manager at Wheeling Heritage. “We believe that by showcasing our local entrepreneurs through the Shop Small Catalog, we can help drive more people into their storefronts on Small Business Saturday and build a greater awareness and appreciation for our local businesses.”
To have your business featured in the 2023 Shop Small Catalog, interested parties are encouraged to complete an online survey available at https://forms.gle/EvEEud8kC6r6SXFw7. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, Nov. 5.
About Wheeling Heritage
Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.
