Alexandria Groups Welcome Maria Contreras-Sweet for Small Business Saturday

From Alexandria Chamber of Commerce: Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, VisitAlexandria, and the Small Business Development Center welcomed Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet for Small Business Saturday to Alexandria as part of their Small Business Saturday Program.

As in past years, the Chamber handed out shopping bags containing maps, coupons, prizes, and special treats for small business Saturday shoppers. Strategically positioned at Market Square and outside of Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray, over 250 bags were distributed. Staff were joined by Councilman John Chapman in Old Town, and Mara Benner from Four Directions Wellness in Del Ray.

Adnan Hamidi, owner of Alexandria Cupcake joined Chamber staff to meet the Administrator, who took home a dozen cupcakes. Making her way down King Street, Administrator Contreras-Sweet visited a number of local businesses before stopping for lunch at Sonoma Cellar with owner Rick Myllenback and Chamber staff.

Encouraging shoppers to kick off their holiday shopping and patronize local businesses, random bags contained gift cards to local eateries or attractions. For example, A la Lucia, Pork Barrel BBQ/ /Holy Cow, Port City Brewery, and Red Rock Pizza, all donated gift cards. Other businesses provided coupons, special deals, give away items, and other treats for shoppers, including free tickets from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Historic Alexandria. Seventy lucky shoppers received a collectible plate from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and every bag will contain maps and a special surprise from Mount Vernon.

As the voice of business in the City, the Chamber works with the various stakeholders in the City, including VisitAlexandria, SBDC, the Old Town Boutique District, the Del Ray Business Association, and the West End Business Association, among others, to ensure Alexandria remains one of the country’s top venues for small business shopping.

“We are excited to help build the buzz for Small Business Saturday and promote our members’ businesses as the places to ‘shop and dine small’. We were thrilled to host Administrator Contreras-Sweet, a true champion of the small business community, and demonstrate why Alexandria is the capital of Small Business shopping.” stated Joe Haggerty, President & CEO, for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce.

Photos courtesy of Alexandria Chamber