How to Support Local Businesses this Holiday Season
Small business owners and employees represent our neighbors, members of our community, our friends and even our family. Small businesses are what make our downtown unique! Locally owned restaurants, shops, cafes and bars are important components of the vitality of Downtown Elgin. During the holiday season especially, please show your support by patronizing local businesses as often as possible.
Small Business Saturday kicks off the holiday shopping season.
Challenge yourself to do ALL of your holiday shopping local! Normally most shoppers take the easy route of ordering online or stopping at a big box store, but this year is different. This year inventory and shipping challenges are making holiday shopping even more stressful. You can reduce your stress by shopping local! Don’t worry whether or not your gifts will arrive in time. Buy them in-person at your favorite small businesses in Downtown Elgin.
#1Order Takeout or Delivery – Most restaurants in Downtown Elgin offer takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery, and many offer online ordering. Coordinate a meal with a group of friends or family and order takeout as your holiday gift to them. Or maybe your friends would enjoy a cocktail and appetizer while you visit with them for a fun holiday game night. Visit ElginEats for links to local restaurant details.
#2Shop Remotely, Shop Online – Many local businesses have an option to purchase their goods or services through their website, Facebook, via a phone call or through email. Online purchases are a great way to safely support local without leaving the comforts of your home.
#3Purchase Gift Cards – Consider supporting your favorite local businesses by gifting a gift card. Most local businesses offer them or you can select a Downtown Elgin gift certificate good at 40+ participating locations.
#4Order Ahead – Placing your order prior to arriving will help make your transactions easier and less stressful for everyone. If you’re ordering food for take-out it’s easier to review the menu at home and place your order online rather than try to make up your mind on the spot, especially if you have a hard time making a selection!
#5Buy Local – Many of the items you might typically buy in the big city or at the big box stores are available at your local shops as well. Downtown Elgin is home to a unique shops such as Rediscover Records, Elgin Knit Works, Meraki Market Hub, Ziegler’s Ace and more. Buy local and support Downtown Elgin small business owners, the people who live in your neighborhood and know your name. They really appreciate it.
#6Write Good Reviews – Set yourself a goal to write a positive review of your favorite local business each day. Facebook, Google, and Yelp are all great places to write reviews.
#7Utilize Social Media – Follow, Like, Share, Comment and spread the news of your local businesses to your friends and followers! Did you have an incredible meal? Snap a picture and post it to your page or a local group. Did you receive fantastic customer service? Post about it and tag the business. Social media is a great tool to promote your favorite local businesses.
#8Be Kind & Understanding – In these unprecedented times some businesses have either been forced to reduce services or temporarily close while others have made the difficult decision to do so for safety reasons. Please be understanding and know that each business is doing what’s best for them. Consider reaching out to business owners or employees to ask how they are doing, or to simply let them know you support their decisions. Visit their website for an email address or send a quick note via Facebook messenger. Your words of encouragement truly mean a lot!
These simple steps can go a long way in helping to support local businesses this holiday season.
How to Support Local Businesses this Holiday Season
Small business owners and employees represent our neighbors, members of our community, our friends and even our family. Small businesses are what make our downtown unique! Locally owned restaurants, shops, cafes and bars are important components of the vitality of Downtown Elgin. During the holiday season especially, please show your support by patronizing local businesses as often as possible.
Small Business Saturday kicks off the holiday shopping season.
Challenge yourself to do ALL of your holiday shopping local! Normally most shoppers take the easy route of ordering online or stopping at a big box store, but this year is different. This year inventory and shipping challenges are making holiday shopping even more stressful. You can reduce your stress by shopping local! Don’t worry whether or not your gifts will arrive in time. Buy them in-person at your favorite small businesses in Downtown Elgin.
#1Order Takeout or Delivery – Most restaurants in Downtown Elgin offer takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery, and many offer online ordering. Coordinate a meal with a group of friends or family and order takeout as your holiday gift to them. Or maybe your friends would enjoy a cocktail and appetizer while you visit with them for a fun holiday game night. Visit ElginEats for links to local restaurant details.
#2Shop Remotely, Shop Online – Many local businesses have an option to purchase their goods or services through their website, Facebook, via a phone call or through email. Online purchases are a great way to safely support local without leaving the comforts of your home.
#3Purchase Gift Cards – Consider supporting your favorite local businesses by gifting a gift card. Most local businesses offer them or you can select a Downtown Elgin gift certificate good at 40+ participating locations.
#4Order Ahead – Placing your order prior to arriving will help make your transactions easier and less stressful for everyone.
#5Buy Local – Many of the items you might typically buy in the big city or at the big box stores are available at your local shops as well. Downtown Elgin is home to a unique shops such as Rediscover Records, Elgin Knit Works, Meraki Market Hub, Ziegler’s Ace and more. Buy local and support Downtown Elgin small business owners, the people who live in your neighborhood and know your name. They really appreciate it.
#6Wear a Mask & Social Distance – If you are going out to pick-up takeout or to shop in-person please remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing. You’ll be helping out businesses by ensuring their employees stay healthy.
#7Avoid Paying with Cash – This is another simple way to limit the risk of exposure to employees. Credit, Debit, contactless cards and options like Apple Pay or Google Pay are great ways to eliminate touching key pads or handling cash. Plus, these transactions are usually faster, getting you in and out quickly!
#8Write Good Reviews – Set yourself a goal to write a positive review of your favorite local business each day. Facebook, Google, and Yelp are all great places to write reviews.
#9Utilize Social Media – Follow, Like, Share, Comment and spread the news of your local businesses to all of your friends and followers! Did you get an incredible meal? Stage a great picture and post it to your page or a local group. Did you receive fantastic customer service? Post about it and tag the business. Social media is a fantastic tool to promote your favorite local businesses.
#10Be Kind & Understanding – In these unprecedented times some businesses have either been forced to reduce services or temporarily close while others have made the difficult decision to do so for safety reasons. Please be understanding and know that each business is doing what’s best for them. Consider reaching out to business owners or employees to ask how they are doing, or to simply let them know you support their decisions. Visit their website for an email address or send a quick note via Facebook messenger. Your words of encouragement truly mean a lot!
These simple steps can go a long way in helping to support local businesses this holiday season.
