As the Business Improvement District for Downtown Tempe, Downtown Tempe Authority has been a downtown Neighborhood Champion for years, rallying the community with events and activities in support of the small businesses in the district.
Did you know that 70% of the businesses in Downtown Tempe are independent, locally-owned businesses? They may be small, but they have a mighty impact in Downtown Tempe.
Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010 when small businesses were reeling from the recession and they wanted to encourage people to support small businesses (by using their American Express cards no doubt). In 2011, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of the day and a movement was born.
And what a successful movement it’s been: in 2018, $17.8 billion was spent on Small Business Saturday. How amazing is that? Hopefully, 2019 will build and surpass last year’s Small Business Saturday.
In Downtown Tempe, we always celebrate the day with either a parade – the Fantasy of Light Opening Night Parade – or a big football game featuring state rivals – Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. On most Small Business Saturdays, downtown is hopping with football game and/or parade fans and often, the Shop Small festivities are drowned out by the raucous. That’s why this year, we’ll be celebrating our small businesses all November long!
We’re celebrating the small businesses that are part of our community and we’re making the case to Shop Small in Downtown Tempe by spotlighting local businesses.
We are also asking you to nominate your favorite small business in the downtown district (district boundaries: University Dr. to the south, Tempe Town Lake to the north, Farmer Avenue to the west and College Avenue to the east). We’ll announce the winning business in December with a special spotlight!
By nominating your favorite shop, you’ll be entered to win a $500 prize that can be spent in small businesses right here in Downtown Tempe.
We’re inviting you to be part of the movement this year. Shop the Small Businesses in Downtown Tempe on November 30 - and every day of the year - and nominate your favorite business in the 2019 Favorite Small Business Sweepstakes.
Submit your Favorite Downtown Tempe Small Business here:
Shop Small Saturday Sweepstakes
Join us as we celebrate our small businesses!
La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar
Slickables Ice Cream Sandwiches
Damon's Barber and Beauty Shop
Elite Cuts and Clothes on Mill
5th Street Market Pizza + Deli
Happy Healthy High Horny Herb Shop
Be sure to follow Downtown Tempe on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on the Favorite Small Business contest and for all things Downtown Tempe!