Businesses in downtown Niles are already thinking about the busy holiday shopping season as they plan for Small Business Saturday next month.

Small Business Saturday was started back in the 1980s as a way to encourage shoppers to keep their money local. Three days after getting trampled at big box stores on Black Friday, shoppers are encouraged to take it easy and see what’s offered in their own communities.

Niles DDA Main Street program assistant Jayden Anderson tells us there’s lot to find in downtown Niles.

“We have some antique shopping malls, we have some food options, we have a couple of clothing stores,” Anderson said. “There’s a nice charm to it.”

Anderson says downtown merchants are planning to offer special deals, and there will be a chance to win a staycation in Niles with purchases made at downtown businesses.

“Someone will get a nice vacation, maybe a weekend in Niles where they’ll get to go to a restaurant for free or they’ll get to stay somewhere, but it’s all dependent on what they do during the small business Saturday.”

More details will be released as we get closer to the big day.

Anderson says when you shop local, your money helps improve your own community. Small Business Saturday will be on November 29, two days after Thanksgiving.