Laramie businesses are providing the chance for people to shop local while saving big during this year’s Small Business Saturday on November 29. The Laramie Main Street Alliance has asked downtown businesses to participate in the event for the last four years, and this year’s event has grown from only 15 participating businesses to over 40.

Small Business Saturday is hosted annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In contrast to Black Friday, this campaign puts the focus on shopping in locally owned, small businesses.

“The concept is for our community to support our small, locally-owned businesses and to shop locally, investing that money in your community, helping it recycle within the economy,” says Laramie Main Street Alliance Executive Director Trey Sherwood. “And then for the businesses to have a day, and a chance, to thank their consumers for being year-round customers.”

For every purchase made at a locally owned business, more than 50% stays in the community.

Many downtown Laramie restaurants, retailers and service providers will be thanking customers for “shopping small” by offering deals and discounts for customers who show a receipt dated 11/29 from a downtown Laramie business.

“The most basic one is ten percent off a purchase, but we also have businesses offering anywhere from twenty, thirty, forty, fifty percent off purchases,” Sherwood says. “We also have some that are doing a gift with purchase or buy on get one free.”

Several downtown restaurants are also offering discounts.

For a complete list of participating businesses or to get a printable list, click here.

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