Supporting small businesses during the holidays helps our neighborhoods thrive all year long
I grew up in a neighborhood of hardworking families, where everything seemed within reach. It was thanks in large part to our incredible small and local businesses. For years, these local landmarks have carried on the traditions of my neighborhood, and generated the prosperity that’s helping Dorchester thrive to this day.
I know my experience was not unique. Small businesses are the lifeblood of all Boston’s neighborhoods. They hire locally; they reflect our rich diversity of cultures and languages; and they care deeply about being good neighbors. Boston’s 40,000 small businesses are also vital to our economy: they account for more than a third of business revenue, and nearly half of all private-sector employment. They are economic and cultural resources that keep Boston running strong.
Boston’s local entrepreneurs work hard every day of the year — -but the holiday season is especially important. Often times, it accounts for as much as 40% of their yearly sales. That’s why my team and I are committed to making sure the holidays are a time when local businesses can truly shine.
This past weekend, I joined Roslindale Village Main Street to kick off the holiday season with our annual Small Business Saturday celebration. We visited local businesses all around Roslindale Square — from iconic institutions that have been around for decades, to local businesses that are just starting out. Before Santa and I lit the tree, I announced some bold new ways we’re helping all of these businesses have their best holiday season yet.
We’re introducing a shuttle that allows people to do their shopping while Main Street hopping. The Main Streets Explorer is a free shuttle that will circulate between the Roslindale Village, West Roxbury, and Hyde Park Main Street Districts, making it easier to explore more great businesses and great neighborhoods. This new pilot program will operate on Thursday evenings this December. Learn more at Boston.gov/Explorer.
The Boston Main Streets Foundation is rolling out a one-stop online portal for local shopping options. A brand new website compiles all the information you need about Boston’s 20 Main Street Districts. It’s got great district-specific information like business directories, maps, and upcoming events.
I’m challenging everyone to participate in the Mayor’s #LetsAllShopSmall Campaign, and to make their list, check it twice, and then head to their local Main Street District to cross off their items one by one. The goal is to purchase items, dine out, or attend events at small and local businesses, snap photos, and then post them to social media with the hashtag #LetsAllShopSmall. It’s a great way to support local businesses, explore your community in a new way… and maybe even get your shopping done early this year!
These new initiatives are going to help our beloved local establishments have a great holiday season. But just like Boston’s determined small business owners, my team and I are putting in this work every day of the year. We’ve come a long way since 2014:
We opened a Small Business Center where residents can walk in with questions and walk out with the skills and know-how that will help them start, maintain, and grow their businesses. We started in Mattapan, and set up shop in East Boston this fall.
We’re putting capital loans within reach for more entrepreneurs — — especially women and people of color. We created a Business Capital and Finance Unit to expand access to the loans that make it possible for new businesses to get up and running. This initiative supports job creation in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and helps to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts.
We provide on-site technical assistance that gives entrepreneurs skills they need. We connect them with experts who can help them with concerns like marketing and branding, improving the customer experience, inventory, and more. This year, we partnered with consultants who also have expertise in employee ownership.
These are just a few of the many ways we’re making sure small businesses continue to generate opportunity in all our neighborhoods. As we celebrated Small Business Saturday in Roslindale, I heard from several local entrepreneurs who had taken advantage of these resources. They told me what a difference they had made for their businesses, their employees, and their communities. We discussed ways that we can make these resources even better — and be sure that they evolve to meet the changing needs of our neighborhoods.
As the festivities continued in Adams Park and Roslindale Square, I saw the power of the small business community to carry on traditions that are so important to our neighborhoods. Their operations may be small, but they play a big role in keeping these communities strong over many generations. I thought back to holidays when I was growing up — — local businesses would decorate their storefronts, donate to local fundraisers, and have sales where kids like me could afford to get something nice for our loved ones. I’m proud that now I’m able to help them thrive all year long. I can’t think of a better return on investment than that.
