CINCINNATI — American shoppers spent nearly $22 billion last year on Small Business Saturday, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. This year, the Ohio city of Madeira is encouraging residents to keep their dollars local with a holiday campaign designed to spark a multiplier effect for the local economy.
What You Need To Know
Walking into The Cottage Paperie and Gifts in downtown Madeira is like stepping into a winter wonderland. The shop offers custom holiday items, giving customers a chance to check names off their gift lists without leaving town.
“We’re very fortunate that practically every day we have customers walk in that say, ‘Oh, I’ve never been here before. I’m so excited to find you,’” said Lori Eddleman, owner of The Cottage Paperie and Gifts. “You can leave here with all of your holiday gifts wrapped beautifully.”
Now in its fifth holiday season, Eddleman said the support of the community continues to grow year after year, proving that local love can truly be the gift that keeps giving.
Downtown Madeira is also undergoing a multi-million dollar revitalization, and while construction has created some challenges, the Madeira Chamber of Commerce is using the season to remind shoppers the city is open for business.
“With the project itself, we started with replacing a water line and then kind of moved to some side work, and now we’re working through a gas line project,” said David Peterson of the Madeira Chamber of Commerce. “Our job has just been trying to keep encouraging people that Madeira is as open as it can be, letting them know where they can park.”
The Chamber’s “Million Dollar Mission” is bold but simple: encourage residents to spend at least $1 million at local businesses this holiday season. To help, the city mailed out $10 “Shop Madeira” gift cards, hoping small incentives will lead to bigger spending.
“Encouraging them to spend at least $100 at our local businesses. Every dollar you spend locally really has a $2-$3 impact,” Peterson said, highlighting the campaign’s potential multiplier effect on the community.
It's support Eddleman hopes to see firsthand.
“So it’s a lot of personal attention. I have a wonderful staff here to help you pick things out, to make suggestions, whatever it might be,” Eddleman said.
For more details on local deals and ways to support Madeira businesses, click here.