Now that Thanksgiving dishes are getting cleaned up, it’s time to think about Christmas shopping.

The biggest holiday shopping events happen during the next few days. There is Black Friday, the day retailers are expected to see their profits turn from red to black, and Cyber Monday, when people turn to online shopping for good deals.  

Between them is a shopping day that is growing in momentum called Small Business Saturday. It is an annual shopping event started by American Express and held the Saturday after Thanksgiving to promote shopping at small businesses. 

“We love to celebrate Shop Small Saturday to promote our local businesses and make sure our residents don’t forget what’s right here in our amazing town,” said Jan Olearnick with the Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s gratifying to see that we have so many more choices in our community to choose from and we continue to grow.”  

Nov. 25 marks its eighth year. The expanding initiative supports small traditional brick-and-mortar stores, services and online businesses. 

The idea is to encourage people to shop local. 

“By shopping local, not only will you be supporting our local businesses, who in turn hire our local residents and their children, you would be giving those tax dollars back to services that benefit you,” said Olearnick. “Your police, parks, fire department, roads, ambulance district, library, they all depend on us and our tax dollars to continue.”  

The Wright City Area Chamber of Commerce has provided its small businesses with information about Small Business Saturday. Steve Kaspar from KFAV-FM (99.9) will broadcast live from Our Hair Salon, West 275 N. Service Road J, in Wright City. During the broadcast, Kaspar will keep listeners updated on participating businesses, said Chamber President Kelly Hill of Shelter Insurance. 

Chambers are nonprofit organizations that promote local businesses and organizations and provide networking opportunities. Both Chamber leaders said that people can do a lot of their Christmas shopping in Warren County, from gift cards to hair salons, car detailing and other services that everyone uses, antiques stores, vintage shops and gift stores. For pricier gift, there are jewelry stores and auto dealers.  

Events like Small Business Saturday allow Chambers to encourage small businesses to drive sales, promote themselves and their value to the community. 

“Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local nonprofits, events, and teams compared to big businesses. Nonprofits often receive greater support from local business owners, sometimes as much as 350 percent more money, than they do from non-locally owned businesses,” Hill said. 

“Local ownership of business means residents with roots in the community are involved in key development decisions that shape our lives and local environment,” she added. “Local business owners are less likely to leave and are more invested in the community’s future.”

Olearnick said locally owned businesses deserve the support and gratitude of their communities for choosing to invest in Warrenton. 

Several new businesses have opened, expanded or added services in Warrenton, Wright City and other parts of Warren County during the past year or so. To name a few, Legacy Drugstore in Warrenton and Wright City, Deor Elle gift shop in Warrenton, Charlee Darling Luxury Salon and Spa in Wright City and Linda’s Little Craft Shoppe in Truesdale.

Hill said compared to big chain stores, local businesses are more likely to offer personalized customer service and products. 

These are the businesses where people know each other by name. 

“When you personally know the people behind the business where you’re buying local products and services, you enjoy a connection you would not otherwise have,” Hill said. “When you shop local, you support a (own your own business) dream.”

Elegant Treasures is a fine jewelry store located at Warrenton Shoppes. Here, assistant store manager Emily O'Keefe adjusts the merchandise. O'Keefe said The store is extendeding its hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Black Friday Nov. 24. On both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, they are offering a 25 percent discount throughout the store. Record photo/Kate Miller. 

The Wright City Meat Co. in Wright City has been in business for 50 years and has won more awards than can fit on the walls. They offer holiday hams, turkies, gift baskets and gift certificates. Owner Gary Kreuger, seen here, says the meat comes from local farmers and it is processed in the shop. Record photo/Kate Miller.