Small Business Saturday includes majority of the business around the Hammond area. For this years SBS there are new businesses that joined the event, which include a new clothing boutique Gypsy Hill. 
Makayla Abney/The Lion's Roar

Small Business Saturday is hosted by the Downtown Development District each year to inform consumers of what their local community has to offer.

This event took place throughout the Hammond area and all small businesses in the United States on Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The idea of having a Shop Small appreciation was started by American Express in 2010 to encourage shoppers and support local business around the holiday times. These times are more focused on the big deals that happen on Black Friday. Like Black Friday, Hammond’s small businesses had deals that were comparable.

The weekly Farmer’s Market was set up downtown by the train tracks to be a part of the SBS extravaganza. There were vendors handing out samples to showcase what they were selling.

At different stores throughout the area, there were toy boxes on display for the 11th Annual House of Serenity toy drive and giveaway. During the month of December, the DDD organizes the toy collection for Hammond. The display of the toy drive box and flyer helps educate the public on the contribution they can make.

The holidays are a time of giving and receiving, so the DDD partners with the homeless shelter to make a difference in the community of Hammond.

While trying to improve the community, SBS promotes creating community and awareness of the businesses in their area.

“It brings attention to the small businesses around town and encourages the community members to stroll downtown when they normally don’t,” said Madison Usey, an employee at Change Clothes Boutique.

The amount of people that support the Shop Small campaign, put on by American Express, has grown throughout the years due to more businesses joining the efforts.

“For Small Business Saturday, it’s busier than Black Friday for us,” said Amanda Robins, owner of Bayou Booksellers. “For three years running this year, this has been the best time for the Bayou Booksellers business.”

Every Saturday is the Farmer's Market, by the railroad in Hammond, and this years market had the opportunity to be a part Small Business Saturday. In the Farmer's Market, there are various vendors that hand out samples and sell different foods and crafts.
Makayla Abney/The Lion's Roar

 Imagine Boutique in Downtown Hammond participated in this Shop Small event, as well as the other retail shops in the area. Not only did this shopping event include the stores being open earlier, but there were deals that drew customers to the different businesses.
Makayla Abney/The Lion's Roar

Customers attend the Farmer's Market on a regular basis to have the opportunity to see the new vendors and support their favorite sellers. Since Small Business Saturday was in support of small businesses around Hammond, the market being a part of the event benefitted the sucess of SBS.
Makayla Abney/The Lion's Roar