The busy holiday shopping season is once again here, and for many of us that means looking for great deals on days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But what if this year you made a pledge to help out your neighbors, and our very own Rhinelander business community by taking part in a day that’s a little less famous, “Small Business Saturday.”

November 26 will be the second annual Small Business Saturday, which is actually a national movement, and the entire idea behind the day is to encourage more people to spend their dollars locally. The event is held on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, so many of you already have plans to head out for those great door buster deals, but after you hit up the must-have items for your holiday season, extend your shopping day and visit some of the different and more unique retail offerings we have in the Rhinelander area.

Small Business Saturday is backed by some pretty big name companies, mainly American Express, but just because this is a national campaign doesn’t mean we can’t reap the benefits of shopping locally right here in Rhinelander. For every $100 you spend in Rhinelander, at independent and locally owned businesses, $68 of it stays in our community. That $68 is going to help pay the salaries of your family and friends, to help keep our streets plowed this winter, and to help make improvements to the Rhinelander community.

Both downtown and Lincoln Street are lined with unique and individual businesses that offer a wide array of products. Even here at the Chamber we have the Hodag Market Place, which is full of items from area artists and crafters, items you can’t get anywhere else. You don’t have to drive to a larger city or community; you can get the items you are looking for right here in Rhinelander. We also offer Chamber Bucks, a great holiday bonus option for your employees. Chamber Bucks are gift certificates that can be redeemed at any Chamber Member Business, and we can create them in any denomination.

So this holiday shopping season, I have a challenge for you: Visit at least one store in the Rhinelander area you haven’t been to before. Check out what they have to offer, and if you are really up to the challenge, put your dollars to work in your own community and purchase at least one gift for a family member, friend or co-worker from a locally owned and independent retailer right here in Rhinelander.

Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lara Reed is available at (715) 365-7464.