I've noticed a disturbing trend in our country and in our local community. Over the last 10 years many Americans have trended away from shopping at small local business and instead support big box stores, malls and internet companies such as Amazon with their dollars. Saturday is small business appreciation day. Even though small business has to take a back seat compared to Black Friday, and cyber Monday. I'm hopeful that people in our country and local community will support small businesses today. Our country was built on small business, if we forget this fact and follow the media supported cattle through the gates mentality. I wonder and fear where we as a country and community are heading. Please support small businesses this holiday season. I wish you all the best.

Well said, Jonathan.

Small businesses are the bread and butter of America. They need our support all year long. Shopping local not only helps your local business owner and employees, but often your local banks, as well. Buying local produce and eating at local restaurants promotes sustainability and decreases our dependence on foreign oil, used in the transport of produce over long distances.
In the Tucker area, we regularly enjoy dining at Taqueria Oaxaquena Guelaguetza and L'Thai off Lawrenceville Highway, Matthews Cafeteria off Main Street, Taqueria Los Hermanos off Hugh Howell by Publix, and The Village Corner German Restaurant and Bakery off Ponce in Stone Mountain. There are many more local places yet to be discovered.

Forgot to mention that this morning, we bought our coffee beans from Stone Mountain Coffee Roasters in Stone Mountain Village, owned and run by Barbara Collins. She is a local treasure.

Local 7, great food, great service and a fun place to eat.

I see support for consumption items like food and drink, However not much support for stores that sell hard goods. When I speak of hard goods, I mean small businesses that sell for example tvs,electronics,appliances, and shoes. These type of stores have been swallowed up by internet shopping and big box stores.
We have been operating as a family business in Avondale since 1947. We have seen a lot of changes in this time. I know we have a lot of people who claim to care for the environment, supporting small business and doing their part to make the world a better place. I often hear rhetoric that corporations and big business are bad. I hear and see a lot of talking, just not to much walking. Example, Televisions. There are no more mom and pops tv stores like my fathers that closed in 2005. Do you know why? We no longer manufacture Tvs in America, Do you know why? Answer everyone buys them from big box stores or online. The big box stores have the items made in countries with little or no labor laws or rights. A family watches all their news , politics, entertainment on said tv and when it breaks do we get it fixed? Not usually, we throw them in the land fill and go buy another, all while giving the big old mean corporations their profit while we pretend to be disgusted by their methods and we proclaim to care for the environment. I find it to be quite hypocritical. Both parties have had a hand in this. Nafta started up by Reagan and finished off by Clinton.

For Small Business Saturday, we shopped at Feather Baby, Little Shop of Stories, and All Fired Up. We are also participating in the $20 coupon exchange for spending $200 in Decatur shops. And the American Express $25 for $25+ bought with Amex card in participating small business. Go Decatur-area small businesses!

We shopped at Bikeways of Tucker on Saturday. We made a purchase and placed an order that we will pick up on Wednesday. It is a great place to shop for bicycles and bicycle accessories. Buddy and his staff are great!