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Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Retailers Celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 24


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact:
Bob Hagh
Communications Director
Downtown Raleigh Alliance
919-821-6977
Mobile: 919-796-6606 (Feel free to call or text this number.)
bobhagh@downtownraleigh.org

 
Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Retailers Celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 24

RALEIGH, NC (November 6, 2018) – The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) has joined the Small Business Saturday initiative as part of its mission to foster a thriving and diverse storefront economy. The DRA invites holiday shoppers to celebrate downtown’s growing retail community on November 24 by patronizing Downtown Raleigh merchants and exploring their special deals and offers.

The DRA will have a Small Business Saturday tent located in the parking lot of M&F Bank at the corner of E. Hargett Street and S. Wilmington Street. Shoppers are invited to visit the welcome station between 11am and 2pm to pick up their official Shop Small canvas tote bag, view local products showcased at the tent, and enter a raffle to win those local products. Downtown stores will be open from 11 am to 6 pm, with select stores opening early or closing late. The DRA will also promote any specials by downtown merchants on its website.

“Our advantage here in Downtown Raleigh are our amazing small stores where you can find a unique gift, so Small Business Saturday fits downtown so well,” said Stacey Simeone, DRA’s Marketing Director. “We’re excited to showcase our local stores and their products.”

So far in 2018, 39 storefront businesses have opened in Downtown Raleigh and this year has seen the highest net gain in businesses since 2010. 

“Retail had a strong third quarter with six new stores and a major expansion of a local retailer all opening this quarter,” says Bill King, DRA’s Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Planning. “We are continuing to see retail respond to the growing residential and office density in downtown. Overall, 17 new storefront businesses opened this quarter and food and beverage sales continue to beat last year’s pace by 8.5%.”

To learn more, read the DRA’s 3Q-2018 Economic Development report here.

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010. This national initiative marks a day to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. The event encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. 

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The mission of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) is: Advancing the vitality of Downtown Raleigh for everyone. The DRA facilitates this mission through five goals: 1) Build a culture of authentic engagement and inclusion with Downtown’s diverse community; 2) Foster a thriving and diverse storefront economy; 3) Facilitate strategic partnerships to produce positive, balanced activations across Downtown; 4) Improve physical connectivity and accessibility within and around Downtown; 5) Position the DRA as a reliable, responsive, representative, and mission-directed.