Shop Locally in Lilburn on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on.

American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked.

With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Lilburn.

-- TELL US: What small businesses do you patronize in Lilburn and what makes them great? Share in the comments below. --

"I believe it's important to shop locally because it creates a stronger business community and economy," said Andrew Bell, president of the Lilburn Business Association and manager of Lilburn's BB&T. "No one enjoys seeing empty strip malls and restaurants, nor does it help the value of the commercial properties surrounding them. 

"Whether it's a local dry cleaner, locksmith, restaurant, or auto mechanic - supporting businesses close to home and in our own backyard create a strong community and creates organic growth that benefits everyone."

Last year, 100 million people nationwide participated in Small Business Saturday by shopping at locally owned stores to help boost the economy and their communities. In Lilburn, there are 100 companies listed on the Small Business Saturday website as participants.

Those businesses include:

• Al Falah Academy
• Calvin W. Huff DDS PC
• Creation Hair Salon
• The Gaming Pit
• Karran Jewelers
• Lilburn International Farmers Market
• Lilburn Tire and Auto Service
• St. Vincent De Paul Society/Thrift Store
• Taqueria Los Hermanos
• Treasures on Main

Everyone has locally owned businesses in their community, and shopping on Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to give back to the businesses you know and love in your community.

Bell says he looks forward to businesses continuing to grow in the area, but that it will only happen if everyone is focused on helping each other out.

"Successful businesses attract other successful businesses which then in turn attract larger businesses which create local jobs, increase tourism and local economic impact, provide more options for certain products or services, which in turn can attract new homeowners who purchase the available homes on the market increasing those property values," he said.

Bell added: "It's a positive waterfall effect, that some would argue starts with how successful our local small businesses are."

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Helpful Notes:

• For more information on Small Business Saturday, click here for the website or check it out on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/shopsmall.
• For more information on the Lilburn Business Association, click here for the website.
• Don't see your business in our Patch directory, let me know at joy.woodson@patch.com.

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