What's Happening in Lancaster, OH…

Lancaster, in common with communities across the country, will soon be encouraging shoppers to take part in Small Business Saturday (SBS). Many of the city's small businesses are offering specials in honor of the day.

The effort, which began in 2010 as a venture backed by American Express; Roslindale Village Main Street; Thomas M. Menino, the mayor of Boston; and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, asks consumers to shop at small, local brick-and-mortar stores rather than nationwide chains.

American Express publicized the first event via social media and other means, and many small business organizations and local politicians also got on board. That first year, Small Business Saturday garnered over one million ‘likes’ on Facebook, and almost 30,000 tweets.

Lancaster businesses taking part include A Season in Time on West Main Street, which is offering a free gift to the first 50 patrons who make a purchase, the Bay Food Market on Maple Street, where shoppers can buy one pound of bone-in pork chops and get a second pound free; and Art & Clay/Square 7 on Main, which is taking $1 off its peppermint lattes and mochas.

Small Business Saturday is this weekend, November 25. Shoppers can find bargains and have fun without having to hit the shops at 4:00 am.

Organizers of this kind of event can make it even more fun for shoppers by working with a flyer printing company to create a handout listing the participating stores and their locations.