Southfield hosts Holiday Market celebration

SOUTHFIELD — The city of Southfield and the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce brought a holiday celebration to the small business community Nov. 10 at the Best Western Premier Hotel.

City officials said Southfield prides itself on embracing its small businesses with a yearly celebration showcasing businesses all over metro Detroit, but the incoming holiday season brought together the perfect celebration.

“We always hold a celebration with small businesses, but we wanted to combine the holiday celebration with our community,” Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jasmine Patton said.

With over 220 registered vendors, the community was able to view local, handmade items such as jewelry, crafts, clothing and more.

Interested vendors had their product evaluated by a committee, and then Patton would observe the product to approve it for the market.

Southfield’s Business and Economic Development Director Rochelle Freeman said the personal attachment between the vendor and their product was inspiring.

“It adds that personal touch when you see someone working on something for a personal reason,” Freeman said. “It makes you want to buy it more.”

Various Christmas decorations were on display, and even Santa Claus himself made an appearance.

The celebration supported the city of Southfield’s community-based vision.

“They continue to be innovative and spark new ideas to grow our business communities,” Freeman said.

The small business celebration couldn’t come at a better time after the pandemic caused small businesses all throughout the metro Detroit area to lose their footing.

Freeman said the hope is that showcasing smaller businesses will only increase the community and the drive to create more small businesses.

“This city has had a strong support to push the micro businesses,” Freeman said. “The pandemic has really shown an uptick in entrepreneurs who left their businesses.”

With the first year being a success, there are plans to make the holiday market an annual event.

“We definitely had community support at this event,” Patton said. “We’re looking to have it grow and make it an annual event.”

In 2010, American Express originated what is known as Small Business Saturday, which takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving and encourages consumers to shop at and support small businesses in their local communities.

This year’s date for Small Business Saturday is Nov. 26.

The concept is one that aligns closely with local chambers of commerce.

Support for local businesses can be crucial for their survival.

“The feedback I am receiving is that they are struggling in a myriad of ways — trying to find employees; there are still some supply chain issues, and with the economy, people are being a lot more cautious about how they are spending their dollars,” said Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Suzanne Levine. “So they might be turning more to Amazon, Walmart or some of the big box stores where they can perhaps get a better deal but not be able to have the kind of unique selection that they would at some of our establishments in West Bloomfield Township.”

Levine added that Oakland County is another “huge resource for businesses, and it’s free.”

Oakland County’s website is oakgov.com.

Levine described small, local businesses as the “backbone of our economy.”

“We have to remember that, because especially in times of need, they have been there to service us — we need to make sure that they survive and thrive,” she said. “They pay taxes, they employ people, and they offer different merchandise and services that we might not be able to find elsewhere. … I’m a big proponent of shopping at some of our stores, especially during the holiday season. I think it’s really important, and maybe you’ll spend a few more dollars, but you won’t spend it in gas driving around.”