Shopping small could reap big benefits for businesses in downtown Ironton.

The Ironton aLive-sponsored “Small Business Saturday” is Nov. 30 and 33 businesses have signed on to participate in the relatively new initiative.

“Surveys from last year shows the event is highly beneficial for small businesses,” Jon Ferguson, executive director of Ironton aLive, said. “A town the size of Ironton is perfect for this.”

“Small Business Saturday” began in 2010 by American Express and is billed as “The Day We All Shop Small.” The event was officially recognized by the United States Senate in 2010 and its goal is to bring national attention to small businesses.

“Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities,” it says on www.shopsmall.com. “They are the corner stores that create jobs, the hardware stores that build our economy and the mom-and-pop shops that make a neighborhood your neighborhood.”

Always held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, last year’s event shows $5.5 billion was spent at small businesses around the country.

“Small businesses need as much attention and exposure as possible,” Ferguson said. “(Ironton aLive) can assist as much as possible, but in the end it is up to the business to get people in the door.”

One effort geared toward achieving the aforementioned is 32 of the 33 participating businesses offering a one-day only coupon; the exception is Fruth Pharmacy’s coupon, which is valid through Christmas Day.

“Many people don’t realize we are a training facility,” Tim Lester, co-manager of the Transit Café, said. “Our mission is to make this program self-sustaining and eventually give money back, which is what makes events like this so important. A lot of people don’t know why we are here.”

Lester is offering Transit Café customers 20 percent off their entire purchase on Nov. 30.

American Express supplied Ironton aLive with all things “Shop Small” recently when Ferguson received a box full of doormats, banners, stickers, magnets, balloons and other fodder for the businesses to use for advertising the event.

Although the event is in its third year nationwide, this is the first year Ironton aLive has been in existence and able to take the reins.

“There has not really been a concentrated effort on ‘Small Business Saturday’ locally,” Ferguson said. “Ironton aLive being involved seems to have piqued interest of small businesses for the event. Some businesses are still contacting me about getting involved but unfortunately time —and space on our coupon sheet — has run out.”

Joe Unger, proprietor of Unger’s Shoes, noticed a round “Shop Small” car magnet in Ferguson’s hand.

“I don’t put anything on my car, bumper stickers, anything,” Unger said. “But I will put that on my car.”

Unger’s one-day only coupon offers $5 off any pair of shoes, but customers will have a chance to get an even bigger discount.

“You buy shoes, you pop a balloon,” Unger said. “Whatever discount is inside the balloon, you get that discount, which could be $5, $10 or 20 percent off.”

Unger said he has been in Ironton his entire life and has heard more good news in the past five years than in the previous 50.

“Ironton is alive and vibrant,” he said. “With the hospital, the bridge, the hotel, the restaurant, the Ro-Na; good things are happening and people have good attitudes. It’s amazing.”

Owner of Simple Living Retail Outlet Sandy Pamely thinks the exposure her business will get from the event is of the utmost importance.

“A lot of people don’t even know we are here,” she said. “That’s our biggest problem.”

Pamely’s store has been open more than a year in the old Masonic building at Rotary Fountain and she says Christmas shoppers are a big part of her business.

“We do as much business around Christmas as we do the rest of the year,” she said.

Members of Ironton aLive are still ironing out some details, but children will have the chance to see Santa and Mrs. Claus at the event.

Participating businesses and their corresponding coupons can be found on Ironton aLive’s Facebook page, at participating businesses and will be available in the Thanksgiving edition of The Tribune.