How it began

Save Our Small Shops campaign (US) was the '07 brainchild of Charlotte Gannoway, a shop owner in Catlin Court/Downtown Glendale, AZ. However it wasn't until October 2008, after seeing Charlotte's shop close alongside 18 additional Small Shops in the downtown area, that the critical need to launch the campaign was recognized. It is a simple grassroots effort to re-direct shopping dollars back to the Small Shops and local markets.

"As a child I remember shopping at a local hardware store with my father," says Caggiano, "The shop owner was on a first name basis with my dad and always had a piece of candy for my sister and an anecdote to make us laugh. I really looked forward to shopping."

As a young adult, Caggiano frequently visited The Spicery, a charming tea-house style restaurant in downtown Glendale. "I even celebrated my baby shower at The Spicery," reminisces Caggiano, "and I loved to walk through the gardens and shop in the nearby small shops afterwards. I was so inspired, I planned to have my own shop in the area someday."

Fifteen years later, Caggiano's dream was finally realized in April 2007, when she opened Miracle Haven, Shops in the Garden, a unique Cafe, Bakery and Gift Shop - right across the street from The Spicery!  Much to her dismay, The Spicery closed it's doors shortly after Miracle Haven's first year anniversary. "The area is still ripe with charm and almost a dozen Small Shops remain, but the loss of The Spicery is monumental," says Caggiano. "If we don't band together to Save Our Small Shops, we could lose the area altogether."

It's passionate small-town memories like these coupled with disappointment in the modern mega-chain shopping experience that helps fuel Caggiano's passion to retain the beauty and opportunity that remains in Small Shops across America.

The passion to return to our roots and shop local is a phenomenon that's sweeping the nation!

Please help Save Our Small Shops.

The Benefit: People are invigorated by the Save Our Small Shops campaign and love the idea of supporting local Shops and neighborhoods with their shopping dollars. The SOSS concept of spending $30. in a Small Shop, rather than a mega-chain is especially appealing because Small Shops offer a personal, relaxed environment in which shoppers can accomplish their goals. As a small business owner, I've seen an increase in business and enthusiasm as a result of this campaign. Over the next decade, I look forward to seeing this influx of support and revenue flowing into local Small Shops.

Media Contact: Kristi Caggiano
E-mail: soss@SaveOurSmallShops.org
Phone: 623-931-2144



* National Small Business Week is April 21-25, 2008. Since 1963, every President has declared National Small Business Week to formally recognize the important role of America’s small business community.

* The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

* The Evening Standard is championing the capital's independent shops in a world increasingly dominated by vast supermarkets and chain stores. London has lost more than 7,000 individual or family-owned shops in the past six years. Our campaign has been backed by thousands of businesses, consumers, MPs and even royalty. Less than a fortnight after its launch, Prince Charles told a CBI conference that small shops must remain a central part of our economy to generate "wealth and employment". A victory came almost immediately, when the Government announced it would scrap tax breaks for landlords who keep retail premises empty, bolstering the number of high street sites available for small retailers. Since then the campaign has gone from strength to strength, securing both the future of Queens Market in Upton Park, one of London's best-known ethnic markets, and an array of award-winning independent food retailers in Northcote Road. In June 2007, 39 MPs from all parties welcomed our 18-month long campaign and signed an early day motion calling for the Government and councils to do more to protect and encourage small retailers. It warned that "if planning policy is not changed the remaining small shops that give high streets their character will vanish".

* From 2002- 2006 3,113,763 new small businesses opened in the US.

* According the the US Census, Small businesses employ 112.4 million people.

* Shopping in Small Shops make good memories.