Retail Merchants Association reminds Richmonders to shop local this weekend

The fourth annual Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday is this weekend, highlighting local merchants in the Richmond area.

November 26, 2014; 1:06 PM • by Trevor Dickerson

A number of ‘shop local’ initiatives take place this weekend to coincide with the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Along with American Express’s initiative, ‘Small Business Saturday,’ the Retail Merchants Association is taking things local with the fourth annual ‘Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday’ on November 29th.

“Our goal each year is to raise the visibility of our members and local retailers and communicate the benefits of shopping locally to the community,” said Nancy C. Thomas, President and CEO of the Association. “Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday is a day to celebrate the Richmond community by choosing to support and shop at local retailers that will support the local economy.”

This year, the Retail Merchants Association will be running a social media contest during the week before TSBL Saturday. Every day from November 19th through November 28th, there will be multiple chances to win a $25 gift card. Then, on Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday on November 29th, shoppers can share a picture of their retail adventures along with #shopRVA, or fill out an entry form in the store for a chance to win one of three $250 gift cards.

“This is our fourth year participating in the Retail Merchants Association’s Think. Shop. Buy. Local Saturday and we look forward to it every year,” said Leigh Johnson, owner of the Shops at 5807 and TidalWheel. “It’s a really busy day for us, and we truly feel the love from all the shoppers who know how much it means to champion their local, homegrown businesses. RMA does a great job promoting and supporting all of our eclectic, organic businesses in RVA.”

A full list of local merchants participating in the event Saturday is available here.

Photo: Matt Johnson/Flickr