MAYOR ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO SHOP LOCAL THIS ‘SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Published on November 24, 2023
HARTFORD, CONN (November 24, 2023) – Today, Mayor Luke Bronin and Hartford’s small business community are encouraging Hartford-area residents to Shop Small and Shop Local on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday weekend. With pop-ups and new businesses opening this year, Hartford leaders are urging residents to support Hartford’s vibrant small business scene while doing their holiday shopping or while dining in Hartford.
"Hartford is a city powered by small businesses, and Small Business Saturday is a reminder of the role that each of us can play in shopping local and supporting our neighborhood shops," said Mayor Bronin. “The holiday season is a busy time for businesses, but every dollar you spend on small businesses helps support local jobs and stimulate our local economy. With pop-up holiday markets and new businesses cutting ribbons every week, there's a lot to explore this winter season, and we encourage you to check out a new restaurant, cafe, or retail store this weekend."
“We invite everyone to join us in shopping small this holiday season. Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and supporting them is very important for our overall economy. Every purchase made from a small business is not just a transaction; it’s an investment in the livelihoods of your friends and neighbors,” says Catherine Marx, SBA Connecticut District Director.
“Our small business community is the backbone of our economy and the lifeblood of our city,” said Julio Concepcion, Executive Director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce. “Small Business Saturday is a perfect day to visit, shop and support our family, friends and neighbors who own one of our great businesses. When you shop local, you affect an entire community. The Hartford Chamber of Commerce is here to support our small businesses, not just on Saturday, but all year long.”
In the last few years, the City of Hartford has made significant investments to support the small business community, including creation of the Hart Lift program to fill vacant storefronts (administered through the Hartford Chamber of Commerce), a Small Business Investment Fund, a Façade Improvement Program, and a Microgrant program for entrepreneurs who run micro-enterprises.