Just surviving the consumerist frenzy that is Black Friday leaves many shoppers with something of a post-spending hangover. Fluorescent lighting often causes headaches, waiting in interminable lines makes for tired, aching feet, and there's just something about dodging shopping carts in beyond-packed big box stores that makes our blood pressure rise.
We've got the perfect antidote: Small Business Saturday, a nationwide tonic to Black Friday initiated by American Express that encourages shoppers to visit brick-and-mortar clothing stores, record shops, delis, wineries and any other independently-owned retailers in your area on Nov. 24.
Because, when you shop small, it's not just a matter of finding unique gifts for the holidays or enjoying personalized service from a neighbor. Small businesses have been responsible for creating two out of every three net jobs in the United States over the past 20 years, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. And Main Street retailers aren't just a thing of the past -- roughly half of all Americans work for a small business today.
Given that spirit, check out this slideshow for a list of some of our favorite independent businesses located within the city limits of Detroit. Last year, 100 million Americans turned out for Small Business Saturday. Find out how to drive some of that spending traffic to the Motor City, and let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite shopping spot.
