First there was Black Friday, Cyber Monday and now Small Business Saturday is making its way into the press nation-wide, supporting the Shop Small movement started by American Express.

Within the past two years, more than 200 organizations have joined the Shop Small movement in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

“Last year was the first year that the McLean County Chamber of Commerce joined with American Express in promoting Small Business Saturday,” Tulley said.

The Bloomington-Normal community fits the ideals of Shop Small in that small businesses are prevalent and thriving throughout both downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal.     “With how commercialized the holidays are, it speaks more to what the holidays are all about; helping neighbors and creating more intimate connections with local businesses and shop owners,” Tulley said.

Downtown Bloomington and Uptown Normal are partnering up for the second annual celebration of Small Business Saturday and have been encouraged by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce to take this more personal shopping approach.

“The Pantagraph, Great Plains Media, Connoisseur, Comcast and WHOI/ABC have offered special advertising, along with promotional deals that each individual store will be providing to shoppers on that day,” Tulley said.

The environment that Shop Small provides is unique in that it is more relaxed and personable in comparison to the wild rush of Black Friday.

The Downtown Bloomington Association, along with Uptown Normal has been marketing and reaching out to small businesses to encourage them to promote the day and offer local deals and discounts to shoppers in the downtown shopping district.

For more information, contact Joe Tulley at 309-454-9557 or visit  www.mcleancochamber.org.