Neatly nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday (SBS) looks to pick up the crumbs from the leftovers after binge shoppers hit the stores on Friday and the couch potatoes roll into action (much more slowly) on Monday.

Add in the competition with hunting season now extended into the weekend and SBS faces a real uphill battle to compete for available dollars. We shouldn’t need to remind you that the local merchants participating in SBS are the people you count on all year long to support your schools, your kids’ fundraisers, your parades and your ability to decorate Main Street.

They are the ones that provide opportunities for so many of us to have our first job or a Christmas break job.

They attend school plays and ball games. They tip you when they eat where you work, and they buy their gas locally as well as pet food and all the essentials.

There are many benefits to having access to online shopping and almost all of us participate. But when the occasion presents itself, it is vital to the local economy that you support these friends and neighbors as well. You may find yourself sitting next to one of these merchants on Sunday morning. They and their families are part of the reason we still may claim to be a churchgoing community. The local payroll dollars spin through the businesses and help to sustain our churches, our museums and our playgrounds.

Please remember that Small Business Saturday is important for everyone, and even if your travels keep you away from Butler County this weekend, do something to support a small business wherever you might be. Start the Christmas Season (or whatever your beliefs might be) with a good dose of love and support for our neighbors. Ho! Ho! Ho!

— RV