AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Small Business Saturday, also the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, gave shoppers in Amarillo the opportunity to support local businesses.
"I think it's a great thing to come in to your local neighborhood shops and give them your support," Hill's Hallmark and Silverland General Manager Cynthia Allison stated. "Often times, they have a better selection, better customer service, lots of things they can offer you while you're supporting your community."
Small businesses thrive on the purchases of their customers. And the local shops in Amarillo's Wolflin Square know all too well how important it is to maintain a relationship with those customers.
The City of Amarillo collected more than $45 million in sales tax this year, resulting in an eight point seven percent increase from 2010. Amarillo Mayor Paul Harpole and the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce are asking Amarilloans to shop locally this holiday season to support the Shop Local campaign. Keeping sales tax in Amarillo will help to ensure the continuing improvement of the local economy.
Arden's of Amarillo Owner Rebecca Smith said support from customers allows businesses to, in turn, give their support to other local businesses.
"When you shop locally, then we shop locally," she said. "And I'm not talking about our vendors. I mean when we buy cars, anything, we shop locally. It keeps the money here, which makes Amarillo grow."
A good economy also means more jobs. When a business makes more money, it can afford to hire more workers.
Amarillo's economy is in good standing right now, and with support from its citizens, it will continue to get better.
