ROCKINGHAM — Everyone is familiar with Black Friday, the shopping frenzy of pre-dawn doorbusters and marquee markdowns on electronics and toys. Boosters of a newer initiative called Small Business Saturday hope it will become just as popular.

The Rockingham Downtown Corp. is holding a Small Business Saturday event on Nov. 28 to encourage shoppers to patronize businesses in downtown Rockingham.

Pattan’s Downtown Grille will be the Small Business Saturday headquarters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. where shoppers can pick up free shopping bags and other goodies, a listing of participating business and their offers and a free cup of coffee provided by Pattan’s.

“We’re starting to see more activity as far as businesses downtown, so it made me think we need to drive more people downtown,” said Rockingham Downtown Corp. President Susan Kelly.

Everyone is encouraged to take photos of themselves that day with the business owners, staff, merchandise or signs and post them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #ShopSmallRockingham.

“Shop small selfies are an excellent way to promote on social media, and it costs nothing,” said Kelly. “People are getting on board with it, which is exciting. A committee will pick the best selfie and recognize them at the annual Rockingham Downtown Corporation meeting in January.”

The purpose of the selfie contest is to support and promote local businesses by using social media to raise awareness. The RDC will select the best photo and the winner will be recognized at the RDC annual meeting on Jan. 19.

The Richmond County Daily Journal — a downtown business anchoring Harrington Square — will share the selfies on its Facebook and Twitter pages and publish them in the newspaper.

Downtown businesses already signed up to participate include Willow Tree Antiques and Gifts, Helms Jewelers, Hillside Florists, Rocking Trends, Pattan’s Downtown Grille, Henry’s Downtown Cafe, Sandhills Pharmacy, Arts Richmond and Discovery Place Kids.

Any other downtown business interested in participating should contact Kelly by calling 910-997-8255 or emailing [email protected] for materials and to be added to the list by Monday, Nov. 23.

Said Kelly, “We’re doing this to create buzz and interest beyond our community about what downtown Rockingham has to offer.”

Reach reporter Matt Harrelson at 910-817-2674 and follow him on Twitter @mattyharrelson.

Matt Harrelson | Daily Journal Rockingham Downtown Corp. President Susan Kelly shows one of the signs that customers can use when participating in Small Business Saturday and its selfie contest at local businesses in downtown Rockingham.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Susan.jpgMatt Harrelson | Daily Journal Rockingham Downtown Corp. President Susan Kelly shows one of the signs that customers can use when participating in Small Business Saturday and its selfie contest at local businesses in downtown Rockingham.

By Matt Harrelson

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