Shop Local this Year in Dickinson County Beginning with Pink Friday!

Shopping during the holiday season is a savored tradition for many families and friends. Once Thanksgiving leftovers are set aside, thoughts turn to the hopeful possibilities of finding that perfect gift or purchase on Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Giving Tuesday. Much of the accompanying promotion is associated with big box stores, but this year is the right time to switch focus and support local!
Two specific events spotlight small and local businesses: Pink Friday on November 22 and Small Business Saturday, November 30.

“Many local stores have deals beginning on Pink Friday and running through December,” said Jessica Goodale, Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director. “Buying from entrepreneurs and local owners this holiday season can set them on the path to success the rest of the year and into 2025.” 

Shop local in Dickinson County for the holidays

Pink Friday

One of the newest and most exciting events is Pink Friday. The nationwide event began in 2020 by the Boutique Hub to encourage shoppers to think about and support small businesses first during the holiday season. DKEDC, along with Visit Abilene Kansas, has been marketing Pink Friday and its importance to residents and the surrounding communities. 

“Pink Friday is an opportunity to celebrate small business shopping before Black Friday, to shop small and support local first,” said Jamie Stroda, owner of Aksent Boutique in Abilene for 18 years. “We will have special spot sales and prizes for the first shoppers who come in on Pink Friday.”

Find the right locally-owned business specials on Pink Friday and throughout the rest of the holiday season by visiting Dickinson County’s business Facebook page: Connecting Dickinson County (KS): Restaurants, Retail and Resources.

Small Business Saturday

A major opportunity to support local this year is November 30 on Small Business Saturday. Over half of small business owners anticipate this single day will significantly contribute to their holiday sales. But its importance goes well beyond immediate financial income. In the last 25 years, small businesses have created over 60 percent of new jobs in the country. 

Holiday Events

Numerous other events throughout our county present opportunities to support local. Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation has created an Events Calendar to represent them with many of the most popular happenings.

Why does shopping local benefit Dickinson County? 

Buying local keeps profits in the community: The money you spend at local stores won’t be sent to a corporate headquarters out of state. The profits stay with the business owners, not national shareholders. 

1. It creates jobs. When local businesses grow, they can take on more team members. Buying from nearby businesses could increase employment in Dickinson County. 
2. Local businesses pay county and state taxes: The profits from these businesses are taxed, and the funds are used to support infrastructure and community improvements. 
3. Buying from local businesses supports suppliers and vendors: Even if your company isn’t directly affected by the holiday season, your customers might be. Thriving local businesses can afford to hire marketing firms, accountants, lawyers, and other service providers. 
4. Supporting local companies fosters a culture of entrepreneurship. When new businesses succeed in Dickinson County other entrepreneurs can feel empowered to open their companies here, bringing additional products and services to customers. 
5. Buying local keeps people in Dickinson County while attracting new residents. You can support multi-generational businesses in Dickinson County. Not only can new businesses open, but existing companies can grow.  

There’s never a bad season to shop locally in Dickinson County  

While Pink Friday or any other special holiday shopping event are wonderful opportunities to support local businesses in Dickinson County, there’s never a wrong time to support these friends and neighbors who put their entire lives into their businesses. 

Don’t underestimate the impact you can make by shopping local because your actions go well beyond dollars and cents in the community. A Constant Contact study indicates the top emotions felt by small businesses after a customer visits or buys during the holiday season are thankful (78%), happy (69%), and hopeful (37%). Make a big impact this year for what may seem like a small purchase by helping the local businesses of Dickinson County this holiday season and beyond.