Bucky Patton of Hendrix-Patton-Rancl, a Downtown Athens store that is giving away a plastic sled to anyone who buys a Flexible Flyer sled
ATHENS-Saturday’s significance in Alabama is centered around the Iron Bowl, but there will be time for football lovers to adopt a pre-game plan prior to the 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
The pre-game plan is shop local.
Saturday, Nov. 26, is the nationwide Small Business Saturday retail event. American Express launched the first Small Business Saturday in November 2010 to encourage shoppers across the country to support small, local businesses.
In 2011, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution of support for Small Business Saturday. By 2015, an estimated 95 million people went out to shop at small businesses, according to the American Express Small Business Saturday website.
“We have wonderful local stores in Athens that depend on us to support them just as you support your favorite football team,” said Spirit of Athens Promotions Chairwoman Holly Hollman. “If you need groceries for the game, buy them in Athens. If you need game shirts and paraphernalia, buy it in Athens. If you are one of the few who does not watch the Iron Bowl, then do your Christmas shopping locally while everyone else is watching the game.”
Participating Downtown Athens merchants will have specials for shoppers who come out to support them for Small Business Saturday.
Holly Holman
For example, Hendrix-Patton-Rancl is giving away a plastic sled for every Flexible Flyer sled purchased. Bucky Patton said the store sold out of the plastic sleds during the last unexpected snow, so shoppers can be prepared by purchasing one now. House of Holland is giving $20 gift certificates to shoppers for every $100 they spend. High Cotton Arts artist Tina Swindell also is offering a $20 gift certificate for every $100 a shopper spends.
Newly-hired Spirit of Athens Executive Director Melanie Barksdale Newton promoted Small Business Saturday during the Christmas Open House held last weekend by handing our canvas shopping totes and paper crowns for children that were provided by American Express. The items highlight Small Business Saturday.
Spirit of Athens Executive Director Melanie Barksdale Newton
Newton said events like Christmas Open House and Small Business Saturday are vital for downtown merchants. Among her goals as Spirit of Athens’ executive director is to build on the retail success the downtown has experienced in recent years.
“I want to capitalize on past progress and continue to revitalize Downtown Athens by using Main Street’s four-point approach, which focuses on promotion, organization, design and economic restructuring,” Newton said. Spirit of Athens is a nationally-accredited Main Street program.
Newton most recently was the business development executive for SLED, Southeast Region, where she was responsible for sales operations, oversight and direction of market efforts, sales and business development. She also has experience as the account manager and business development executive for Google Enterprise Sales and Services where her duties included analyzing market strategies, examining risks and financials and providing information for contracting processes related to federal, state and local agencies.
She is the daughter of former Limestone County Commissioner Gerald Barksdale and is originally from East Limestone. She and her husband Tom recently moved back to Athens and purchased a home in a historic district.
“We have wonderful local assets that can and should be leveraged to revitalize and sustain a thriving Downtown Athens,” Newton said. “I encourage residents of Athens and Limestone County to shop, dine and visit Downtown Athens. It’s a wonderful place to live, work and play.”
For more information on Small Business Saturday, go online at:
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/
