Yuma Businesses Urge Local Shopping, Small Business Saturday Boost

Yuma business owners spent Small Business Saturday appealing to local shoppers as millions nationwide took part in post Thanksgiving Black Friday sales. The annual event on November 28 was pitched as an opportunity to concentrate holiday spending on locally owned shops and restaurants that underpin Yuma County economic activity.

Nicole Millis, owner of Kiwis Distinguished Pet Goods, said Small Business Saturday consistently ranks as her busiest sales day. "Small Business Saturday may be the most important Saturday of the year and it’s really important that the local community supports locals," Millis said, noting she hoped to surpass last year’s results. Millis added that a recent government shutdown had reduced customer traffic for several weeks, making the weekend more consequential for downtown merchants trying to recoup lost sales.

Local retailers framed the day not only as a shopping event but as a test of downtown resiliency. "I believe our retail locations and our restaurants are the lifeblood of downtown," Millis said. "Any city’s downtown is one of the most important areas of the city. So, it's a place we want to see thrive and grow." That language captures a broader economic logic. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses make up 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses, a share that reflects their outsized role in employment and local purchasing power.

For Yuma residents the effects are tangible. Concentrated local spending keeps sales tax receipts circulating in the county, sustains jobs at independent shops and eateries, and supports downtown foot traffic that benefits service providers and property owners. Conversely, declines in visitations during events like a government shutdown can compress cash flow for small firms that operate on thin margins, increasing vulnerability through the winter season.

Looking ahead, Yuma’s retail recovery will depend on sustained consumer support and stable federal policies that keep payrolls and benefits flowing. Small Business Saturday offered a near term lift, but local leaders say longer term gains will require consistent local spending and continued efforts to make downtown an appealing destination for residents and visitors alike.