The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Minnesota’s leading small business advocacy organization, encourages shoppers to support small businesses on Nov. 29, 2025.
“Shopping small on November 29th keeps our neighborhoods and local economy thriving, from the Twin Cities to the Iron Range,” said NFIB Minnesota State Director Jon Boesche. “In Minnesota, Main Street businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, accounting for over 99% of the businesses in the state and employing 1.3 million Minnesotans, according to the Small Business Administration.”
On the tri-state border of Wisconsin and Iowa, Kristina Hauser runs Emerald Lane Market Co-op in Caledonia, Minn. “With small businesses being squeezed from every angle, especially in Minnesota, Small Business Saturday is even more important for our community,” said Hauser. “But local small businesses need and deserve more than one day. It’s about showing up for the makers, the dreamers, the family-run shops and the local favorites that keep our communities strong all year long.”
Emerald Lane has grown to 17 small businesses under one roof since opening its doors in February 2024. “Community support makes all the difference!” said Hauser. “I personally feel, see and know people are paying more attention to those pouring their hearts into being the backbone of small towns and are intentionally choosing to spend a little extra if it means supporting the entrepreneurs in their own community. Please know that every purchase, like, share, referral and review make a huge impact, and we truly thank you!”
Help boost the local economy
According to October’s NFIB Small Business Optimism report, a net negative 13% of all small business owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down 6 points from September. Small Business Saturday presents an opportunity to boost sales and the overall economy.
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 to help local shops and restaurants bring in more customers after the Great Recession. Last year, shoppers spent an estimated $22 billion at locally owned businesses nationwide.
Shopping locally benefits the local economy in multiple ways.
Author Doug Griffiths wrote the book, “13 Ways to Kill your Community,” that gave a handbook for many small communities to understand what helps or hinders success. “Shopping locally will keep dollars in your community, and every dollar spent within a community reaches seven other hands before it leaves the community, which keeps the local economy advancing. Each dollar spent outside the community is gone forever,” the book says. An additional bonus is that sales taxes stay local to help with improvements needed, like community beautification and streetlight projects.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Saturday has officially been cosponsored by SBA since 2011. “It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season,” SBA says. “Support our nation’s more than 36 million independent businesses this Small Business Saturday and all holiday season long.”
