The holiday season is around the corner. ‘Tis time to make merry and express our gratitude by honoring old traditions and celebrating new ones with those we hold dear and those that have walked with us through the ups and downs.
Spend time with your family, let your friends know that you value them, and support your local business community.
Reasons to Support Small/Local Businesses
- American Express estimates that for every $100 spent at a small business, around $67 stays in the business’s local community – creating a web of financial interdependence. For example, the money spent at a privately owned local store may be used to pay a worker in your community, who then spends the earnings at another small business in the neighborhood.
- Roughly 1 in every 2 small business owners donates to charity – with 90% of those donations going to a local cause.
- Small Businesses create local jobs. According to the S. Small Business Administration, “small businesses are at the forefront of economic growth” – accounting for 1.8 million new jobs.
- Shopping locally is good for the environment. Most small businesses rely on local products. Plus, shopping or dining within walking distance boosts environmental sustainability.
- The real estate value of neighborhoods served by vibrant local businesses tends to increase as the area becomes more desirable.
What is Small Business Saturday?
Nestled in the midst of the holiday shopping craze that typifies Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a relatively new holiday with a noble underpinning: Small Business Saturday.
The holiday was launched in 2010 by American Express with the primary aim of encouraging consumers to redirect their holiday spending to local stores as a way of supporting their efforts. A year later, a resolution was passed by Senate recognizing the holiday.
So, when is Small Business Saturday 2021?
Mark your calendar for November 27, 2021. Go out and support small businesses in your neighborhood. If you’re in Charlottesville, here are some local businesses you can support:
1. Dino’s Restaurant
Head over to the Dairy Market in Charlottesville and experience Dino’s – a casual meeting point that’s perfect for mingling with family and friends over a wholesome meal.
To quote Dino himself, “The restaurant’s mission is to be community-driven, pro-local and eco-friendly… I want to bring our community together and create a space where everyone is welcome.”
Their trademark dishes are mouth-watering wood-fired pizzas and delicious rotisserie chicken, complemented by equally good salads and sides. Dino’s Restaurant also offers catering services for your event in Charlottesville.
Website: https://www.dinos.restaurant/
Address: 946 Grady Ave Suite F, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Telephone: (434) 422-8543
2. Party Starts Here
Planning to host a party this holiday season in the Charlottesville area? As the name suggests, your first stop for supplies should be at Party Starts Here.
Whether you’re having a huge community event or a modest family gathering in your backyard, Party Starts Here is your one-stop-shop for costumes, decorations, and other party supplies. The locally-owned and operated store has been serving individuals and local organizations in Charlottesville for over 3 decades – and their latest expansion plans suggest that they’ll be doing so for a long time.
Website: https://partystartshere.us/
Address: 1107 Emmet St N, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Telephone: (434) 973-7359
3. Daily Grind Coffee & Ice Cream
Kickstart your day with a hot cuppa fresh coffee at Daily Grind in Cville – and when the sugar cravings kick in, indulge in a rich, creamy frozen treat.
Few things are as smile-inducing and refreshing as the range of coffee and ice cream flavors at Daily Grind. Whether you’re looking for new-and-noteworthy licks or nostalgic brews, the family-owned coffee and ice cream shop has the scoop.
Daily Grind Coffee & Ice Cream is the go-to shop for your sugar or caffeine fix.
Website: https://dailygrindcville.com/
Address: 3450 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville
Telephone: (434) 529-8209
4. Albemarle Baking Company
Albemarle Baking Company is Charlottesville’s staple for handcrafted pastries, cakes, and bread. The small daytime café is expertly operated by a team of accomplished and quite friendly artisan bakers.
You’ll find their baked goods in some of Charlottesville’s best restaurants. But if you want to experience their time-honored recipes from the source, you can order online or stop by their counter in Main Street Market.
Whatever your bakery needs, you can bet Albemarle Baking Company got you covered.
Website: https://albemarlebakingco.com/
Address: 418 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22903
Telephone: (434) 293-6456
5. The Local Restaurant
Dining in a local restaurant to support small businesses in your community doesn’t get better than The Local Restaurant in Charlottesville.
As you can already gather, everything about The Local is…well, local. They make a big deal out of sourcing their ingredients from local farmers, hiring locals, and even featuring interior décor by local artists. Their DNA is in every sense local.
With Small Business Saturday approaching, why not support a restaurant that goes the extra mile to give back to the community?
Website: https://thelocal-cville.com/
Address: 824 Hinton Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Telephone: (434) 984-9749
6. Sammy’s On The Corner
Philadelphia is known for many things – from its rabid sports fanbase to the Liberty Bell. But it’s safe to say that the city’s best export is their famed Cheesesteak. It’s a savory crusty roll cradling sautéed ribeye steak, dripping with melted cheese and meat juices that must be experienced to really understand its appeal.
While Philly is hundreds of miles away, you can sample their hearty cheesesteaks in an around-the-corner restaurant – i.e., Sammy’s On The Corner. If you’re a cheesesteak fan, you’re going to love Sammy’s cheesesteak sandwiches.
Website: https://www.sammyscville.com/
Address: 1427 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
Telephone: (434) 231-5565
7. Oliva
In the market for Olive Oils? Or maybe you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for a loved one who treasures the finest culinary spices, spreads, and rubs? Then head over to the Barracks Road Shopping Center in Charlottesville and walk into Oliva.
The shop offers award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oils, authentic Balsamics, a wide range of culinary gifts—including bread dippers, peanut butter & jellies, sauces, spices, spreads, and salts.
And with the holidays around the corner, you’ll appreciate their gifting ideas. As the owner Robert “Bugg” puts it, “Oliva is the perfect place to find that unique and special gift…Our baskets and gift sets are as creative as they are functional and beautiful.”
Website: https://www.olivaoils.com/
Address: 1033 Emmet Street North, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Telephone: (434) 975-5432
8. Tilman’s Cheese & Wine
There’s something about Tilman’s Cheese & Wine that creates a warm and inviting ambiance. Maybe it’s the “good-mood-food” trifecta of cheese, wine, and snacks. Perhaps it’s the friendly staff who make you feel at home. Whatever it is, Tilman’s is undoubtedly a great place to share a beautiful moment with loved ones.
Like all businesses on this list, Tilman’s Cheese & Wine is locally owned and it operates courtesy of a symbiotic relationship with neighbors, friends, family, and other small businesses in Charlottesville.
Website: https://www.tilmanscheeseandwine.com/
Address: 406 E. Main St. Charlottesville, VA 22902
Telephone: (434) 566-0777
9. Manila Street
Manila Street is the epitome of a hidden gem if you have a sweet tooth for Filipino food. The restaurant—which is nestled in the Dairy Market—offers authentic Filipino delicacies such a Lumpia (Spring Rolls) and other traditional foods based on family recipes passed down the generations.
Everything on their menu is made from scratch using fresh ingredients. And as a cherry on top of the cake, Manila Street is run by a friendly team to seal an enjoyable and finger-lickin’ good experience.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ManilaStreetCville/
Address: 946 Grady Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Telephone: (434) 284-0606
Shop Small, Support Local This Season
Local businesses are rooted in the landscape where they grow and they take pride in making their community a little nicer through a web of symbiotic relationships with locals – which is why Small Business Saturday is important.
Jump on board this season and go shop small. Support small businesses in your community any way you can.
