The holiday season looks a little different, but we know that the support of customers is as important as ever to our communities’ small businesses. Mobilize the Lehigh Valley to shop local and small for the holidays this year starting with the nationwide Small Business Saturday movement on Saturday November 28, 2020.

Each year this event is nationally sponsored by American Express. In the midst of the recession in 2010, American Express created Small Business Saturday to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day, and officials in all 50 states participate. In an effort to support local communities, organizations across the country sign up to serve as Neighborhood Champions. These supporters bring their community together with events and activities on Small Business Saturday (and throughout the entire year!).

Like each year, Emmaus Main Street Partners will be handing out tote bags stuffed with local business swag, coupons, marketing materials, etc. in an effort to encourage people to get downtown physically to initially pick up the bags and then shop around town as well as provide exposure to our businesses and organizations. The bags will be given out starting at 9am at South Mountain Cycle & Café. The bags will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis rather than pre-registration.

Additionally, Small Business Saturday will launch the Holly Jolly Shopping Spree for the 2020 Emmaus Holiday Season. Anyone is welcome to participate by taking their receipt from an Emmaus Borough business, writing their name and phone number on the back, and dropping it in a designated box at one of three locations throughout the Borough. This will be an entry to win one of a few smaller prizes or the grand prize of a Napoleon Grill donated by Kleckner & Sons Appliances in Emmaus. There is no minimum purchase requirement needed to enter. EMSP is hosting this event to drive sales in local businesses. The Spree will begin on Saturday November 28 and run through the end of the day on Tuesday December 22. Winners will be selected on Wednesday December 23 on Facebook live on Emmaus Main Street Partners Facebook page at 12pm.

Finally, EMSP is looking to organize a virtual component of Small Business Saturday for supporters who do not want to or cannot attend in person and for businesses who may not have a brick and mortar. EMSP will be gathering times and information from local businesses to create a master schedule of when and on what social media platforms businesses and organizations will be going live to talk about their businesses, services, products, and people. Some businesses may offer sales for those who tune in live. Some may just talk about special products they have for the holiday season, etc.

Restrooms will be available for public use behind Licensed 2 Grill. Signs will be out directing people.

If you’re a business in the Borough of Emmaus who wants to get involved in one, two or all three aspects, please reach out to Emmaus Main Street Manager Ashley Lorah at AshleyL@LehighValleyChamber.org or (610) 739-1273. We encourage ALL businesses to participate in some capacity whether they’re members or not.

When: Saturday November 28, 2020 ALL DAY!

Tote bag pick up will begin at 8am and go until supplies run out (approximately 100 bags will be given out on a first-come, first served basis)

Where: Borough of Emmaus (and really the entire country!)

Tote bag pickup will be at South Mountain Cycle & Café 318 Main St Emmaus PA 18049

Pricing Information: FREE

Sponsors: Emmaus Main Street Partners & the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce

About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area.  We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises.  With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.

Information provided to TVL by:
Ashley Lorah
Assistant Vice President of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Youth Coordinator for the Workforce Board of the Lehigh Valley
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/

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