City, Chamber partner to encourage residents to "Shop Small"

PARMA, Ohio - Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce are inviting you to consider Shopping Small on Saturday, regardless of how you spend Black Friday.

Saturday, Nov. 30 is considered Small Business Saturday nationwide, and is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Luckily for local residents, Parma is chock-full of interesting independent small businesses.

“Parma is the perfect place to shop locally,” Mayor DeGeeter said. “The many small businesses here are so varied, and you can find something for yourself and for everyone on your holiday gift list, whether in Ukrainian or Polish villages or elsewhere.”

Aside from several Eastern European food and gift stores, Parma has everything from comic book stores to music instrument sales to specialty liquors, candies and bakery outlets.

Look for “Shop Small” signs in participating business windows in Polish Village, Ukrainian Village and in other businesses in the city. Business owners who a sign for display can call Parma’s Economic Development Office (440-885-8860) or stop by the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce offices located in The Shoppes at Parma.

Mayor DeGeeter and Parma City Council passed a resolution supporting Parma’s Small Business Saturday and encouraged residents to take part in the celebration by participating at some of Parma’s many small businesses.

“Shopping small is one more way to support your local community and its economy,” DeGeeter said. “I will be participating, and I encourage Parma residents to do so.”

Chamber of Commerce President Dave Nedrich said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for people to discover all the different kinds of shopping experiences that Parma offers. We welcome local residents and those from surrounding communities.”

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.