Each year around Thanksgiving we are bombarded with a mad rush of advertising all the way through the December holiday season. Black Friday—the biggest shopping day of the year—has become a widely recognized cultural phenomenon, and Cyber Monday is quickly catching up in significance. But nestled between these two days of hot deals on new toasters and TV sets is a very important day that should not go ignored: Small Business Saturday. And this year it is especially important to spend your dollars at your favorite shops and restaurants in Fremont and show your support!  

Small businesses are often referred to as the backbone of our economy, but more importantly they are the cultural identifiers that help us create a sense of place and community. They give our residents a source of pride and are what make Fremont unique. Shopping at small businesses keeps the dollars you spend in our community, creating a more local, sustainable, and circular economy. In a year mired by global supply chain challenges, avoiding the need to ship your gift will help avoid stress that it will not arrive on time. And while every day of the year should be a day to appreciate our small businesses, we can all agree that our neighborhood shops and restaurants deserve a special day of their own.  

Fremont has over 3,400 small businesses who collectively employ over 27,000 people. One in every four jobs in Fremont is tied to a small business. Whether it is a nearby shopping center or one of Fremont’s historic neighborhood business districts, our community is full of unique local offerings. Whatever part of Fremont you call home, there is something for you to fall in love with!  

For many small business owners, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the most challenging time their business has faced. This Saturday let’s show them how much we value them. If you are going to do any shopping this week, make sure to support your favorite locale in Fremont. If you are looking for ideas, we encourage you to check out www.giftfremont.com, where you can purchase e-gift cards at local merchants and take advantage of special bonus matches!  

See you out in the community!