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Choose MainStreet ✦ Holiday Events ✦ Resources ✦ About Small Business Saturday ✦ Top 10 Reasons to Shop MainStreet ✦ SBS Graphics & Social Posts ✦ Past Resources
Choose MainStreet
An initiative of New Mexico MainStreet (NMMS), Choose MainStreet aims to inspire New Mexicans and tourists to shop, eat, and play in MainStreet and Arts & Cultural districts in order to grow local economies. NMMS encourages everyone to choose to shop and eat in MainStreet districts first because small businesses support the local economy, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for the whole community.
During the holiday shopping season, it’s important to keep dollars in the local economy because many small businesses rely on income generated during the giving season. In fact, when money is spent at locally-owned businesses it has a greater impact because that money continues to recirculate in the community. For the ❤️ of local, Choose MainStreet!
Holiday Events in NM MainStreet and Arts & Cultural Districts
Candy Land
Nov. 19-Dec. 19
Arts & Craft Sale
Nov. 23
Small Business Saturday
Nov. 23
Festival of Lights
Nov. 29
Electric Light Parade
Nov. 30
Christmas Downtown
Nov. 30
Cookie Crawl
Nov. 30
SBS Red Carpet
Nov. 30
SBS Blue Bucks
Nov. 30
Lighted Parade
Nov. 30
Merry Market
Nov. 30
Light Up Artesia
Dec. 5
Shop & Stroll
Dec. 5
Holiday Stroll
Dec. 6
Christmas Downtown
Dec. 6-7
WinterFest
Dec. 6-8
Christmas on MainStreet
Dec. 7
Christmas Lights Parade
Dec. 7
Star Light Parade
Dec. 7
Lighted Parade
Dec. 7
Old-Fashioned Christmas
Dec. 13
Oil Patch Market
Dec. 14
Twinkle Light Parade
Dec. 14
Cookie Crawl & Holiday Light Parade
Dec. 14
Resources
American Express, Main Street America, Giving Tuesday, and SBA resources are available to amplify your messaging.
About Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is November 30, 2024
Support local businesses on Small Business Saturday to make a big difference in your community!
Small Business Saturday (SBS) on November 30 is a New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday. For this one day, the state suspends collection of gross receipts tax on sales of qualifying items at certain small businesses, allowing the retailer to sell the items “tax free.” Types of items that qualify are clothing, accessories, sporting goods, tools, books, art, cosmetics, musical instruments, cookware, bedding, furniture, toys, games, and electronics. For a business to qualify for the deduction, it must maintain its primary place of business in NM, and employ no more than 10 employees at any point during the year. More information on eligibility and qualifying merchandise is available on the Tax & Revenue website.
New Mexico MainStreet encourages everyone to shop and dine at small businesses in MainStreet districts first to keep dollars in the local economy. Shopping at local small businesses first gives business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, growers, and makers an opportunity to grow their business and livelihood. Shoppers will find treasures and one-of-a-kind item in those businesses, making for special gifts and memorable holidays. When folks choose local first, they gain the satisfaction of supporting their neighbors and showing community pride during the season of giving and goodwill.
More than half of New Mexico workers are employed by a small business (53% according to the SBA) — supporting these businesses truly makes a difference in your community and for your neighbors. Studies show for every $100 spent locally, $68 stays local. For every $100 spent at a chain store, only $43 stays local. The bottom line is that shopping MainStreet will keep more money in your community to be re-spent.
2024 Small Business Saturday Press Release – coming soon!
Top 10 Reasons to Shop MainStreet
✦ Brick and mortar small businesses are the backbone of the community’s local economy.
✦ Small businesses are the heart of the community.
✦ The local economy thrives when resources are reinvested in the community.
✦ Find one-of-a-kind items and treasures in local small businesses.
✦ Shopping local supports artists, entrepreneurs, makers, and growers.
✦ Small businesses create local jobs.
✦ Local businesses are more likely to contribute to community charities.
✦ Money spent locally recirculates and strengthens the local tax-base.
✦ A vibrant local economy improves the quality of life for everyone in the community.
✦ Supporting local small businesses encourages community pride.
SBS Graphics & Social Posts
Graphics & Videos
Use hashtags #ChooseMainStreet #ShopSmall and/or #LoveLocal to show your support.
- Shop at MainStreet businesses first during the holiday giving season to support your local community!
- Choose small businesses in MainStreet districts first during the holiday shopping season to keep dollars in the local economy.
- Shopping locally supports local jobs and a higher quality of life for the whole community. Shop MainStreet this holiday season!
- Show your thanks on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30! Support locally owned MainStreet businesses by shopping small.
- November 30 is Small Business Saturday and New Mexico’s Gross Receipts Tax Holiday! Support locally owned MainStreet businesses this holiday season.
- On Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday giving season, shop MainStreet businesses first for the ❤️ of local.
- Discover local treasures that bring joy by shopping in your MainStreet district during the holidays. Spread cheer and support your local community!
- Discover treasures in your local MainStreet district. For the ❤️ of local, Choose MainStreet!
- Shop MainStreet this holiday season to support local artists, makers, growers, and entrepreneurs!
- When money is spent at locally owned businesses, it has a greater impact because that money continues to recirculate in the community.
- There’s no place like MainStreet for the holidays! Spread holiday cheer and shop local.
- There’s no place like MainStreet for the holidays! Choose local MainStreet businesses first during the giving season.
- Put your money where your ❤️ is by shopping MainStreet for the love of local!
- When you support MainStreet businesses, you support someone’s dream. For the ❤️ of local, Choose MainStreet.
- Celebrate the heart of the community – shop MainStreet first this season!
- Handmade = made with love. For the ❤️ of local, Choose MainStreet!
- Celebrate local by shopping and dining MainStreet first.
- Celebrate the holidays in your local MainStreet district for the ❤️ of local!
Past Holiday Resources
| Resource | Year |
|---|---|
| Choose MainStreet This Holiday Season Campaign | 2023 |
| Small Business Saturday Choose MainStreet Campaign | 2022 |
| Small Business Saturday Choose MainStreet Campaign | 2021 |
| Small Business Saturday Webinar Presentation | 2020 |
| Choose MainStreet Shop Local Campaign | 2020 |
| Shop MainStreet Kit & Poster | 2018 |