Dearborn Area Chamber to Give $4,000 to Promote Small Business Saturday

Dearborn consumers will have a big reason to shop small within the next week: a chance to win one of 160 $25 giftcards, handed out by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber has been selected as one of 50 local partners with American Express and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to promote Small Business Saturday—a nationwide campaign to spur business for local merchants on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

American Express created the concept in 2010 to help small businesses get more exposure between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Last year, over 100 million people came out to shop at independently-owned small businesses on that day.

This year, Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 24. And starting Nov. 18, the Dearborn chamber will be giving away $25 American Express Gift Cards to customers throughout Dearborn and Dearborn Heights businesses.

Posts on the chamber's Facebook and Twitter pages will direct shoppers to a particular business, where chamber members will be waiting with the gift cards and other prizes.

Wendy Fichter, director of Small Business Services, explained that the chamber hopes to encourage the winners to spend the gift cards at the local businesses—all of which accept American Express.

 "Our goal is to bring new people into the store," she said.

The chamber will host giveaways at two businesses per day on Sunday, Nov. 18, through Wednesday, Nov. 21. They'll host another eight giveaways on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24.

The first 10 shoppers to show up and say a particular phrase (which will be shared with them on the chamber's Facebook and Twitter accounts) will win the gift cards.

Additionally, American Express will offer a special incentive to small business shoppers: a $25 statement credit offer for cardholders who register their card at ShopSmall.com and spend $25 or more at any qualifying small business that accepts the American Express Card. Members must enroll an eligible American Express Card between Nov. 18-24.

Be sure to follow the chamber on Facebook and Twitter to watch for updates on the giveaway. Dearborn Patch will also be retweeting and sharing the times and locations of the events on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

To find out more about Small Business Saturday, visit www.shopsmall.com and to find  small businesses in the area visit the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.DearbornAreaChamber.org.