Mom and Pops Are Everywhere

How to give a gift to your community. (Batteries not included.)

99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses are small businesses, according to the Small Business Administration. And these “mom and pop shops,” as they’re often called, employ almost 46 percent of the country’s employees.

Today, 34.8 million mom-and-pop shops are operating across the county. And like my mother’s hardware store, many of them rely on the Christmas holiday season to turn a profit for the entire year.

Supporting small business could be as easy as clicking “Buy Now” on a local retailer’s website. Even better is in-person shopping because pedestrian traffic supports small downtowns. Buying locally made goods — soaps, cheeses, handiwork — supports artisans and their suppliers. It also increases employment opportunities for others as businesses grow.

In short, shopping for holiday gifts locally is like giving a gift to your community.