MIAMI — Small Business Saturday brought large crowds to Coral Gables, where more than 1,600 locally owned shops and restaurants make up the city’s commercial core.
Shoppers like Maria Flaetasa, who browsed boutiques along Miracle Mile, said supporting neighborhood stores is part of what makes the city unique.
“We want to support our community,” she said, adding that Miami and Coral Gables offer “so many local businesses. Restaurants.”
Nationwide, an estimated 67 million people were expected to participate in this year’s event, which last year generated roughly $22 billion in spending.
At Bliss Imprints, owner Eddy Martinez said running a small business has become increasingly difficult as inflation and tariffs continue to drive up costs.
“Small business is hard these days,” he said.
After five years on Miracle Mile, Martinez said he has had to adjust pricing to stay competitive.
“Prices have definitely gone up … but we try to structure pricing to get customers into the store," he added.
Small Business Saturday, launched by American Express in 2010, has since generated more than an estimated $220 billion for independent shops nationwide.
Althea Harris, deputy district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, said the day offers a significant boost.
“It’s really important that folks get out, shop small and dine small to support our local economy — businesses who hire our neighbors, friends, and even some of us,” she said.
The SBA estimates some small retailers make nearly 20% of their annual revenue from this single shopping day.
Harris said South Florida continues to see strong entrepreneurial growth, noting the local SBA office supported more than 5,000 loans valued at over $2.8 billion.
Jorge L. Arrizurieta, president of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, said the city’s economy depends on residents remembering the importance of buying local.
“A local to shopping so our friends, neighbors, and consumers don’t forget this is vital to their economy.”
Cyber Monday is expected to draw an estimated 74 million shoppers nationwide.
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