City Launches 'Support Small CWV' Holiday Campaign

Today, Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, joined by the Charleston Area Alliance, Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau and Charleston Main Streets, announced the creation of the “Support Small CWV” holiday campaign. This program will promote small businesses and merchants during the holiday season while encouraging folks to spend their money locally.

“Our small businesses are critical to the City of Charleston’s economy and during this pandemic many have seen decreases in revenue,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “Support Small CWV will give folks holiday gift giving ideas and reward those who shop locally. It will also show the impact that shopping small makes on your friends and neighbors who may operate or work at local establishments.”

As part of the project, Small Business Saturdays will be expanded to take place November 14 – December 19 with each Saturday highlighting a different part of the Capital City. A holiday window decorating contest will take place throughout the entire City, with prizes going to businesses in each district.

"We're pleased to announce the city-wide expansion of our annual holiday window display contest, which will brighten more storefronts and showcase the pride we all have in our community," said Steve Rubin, president/CEO, CAA. "This holiday season is a crucial time for Charleston's small business community, and organizations like ours must do everything we can to drive holiday shopping traffic and support our local business owners and entrepreneurs."

A social media gifting guide will highlight unique gift ideas for the holiday season and encourage consumers to shop locally instead of turning to big box retailers. A corresponding social media contest will also take place with cash prizes for those that shop locally.

“In 2017, we launched our SpreeWV program, a shop local initiative that encourages consumers to think twice before they go out to eat or buy their next needed item at a chain. We are so excited to be working with the City of Charleston, CVB, and CAA to not only continue our district promotions, but also partner with them to strengthen the social media presence of every local business in Charleston at such a crucial time when they need us the most. Support Small CWV will not only keep Charleston’s small businesses top of mind – it will also mark a new and exciting era of comprehensive promotion of ALL small business in the Capital City,” said Ric Cavender, Executive Director of Charleston Main Streets.

Additionally, the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau will develop a storytelling series called “Charleston Needs” that highlights the need for local businesses in our community and the great impact they have in our City.

“Small, locally-owned businesses are the DNA of a destination.  People may come to Charleston for the Coliseum & Convention Center or the Clay Center or some other attraction, but it’s the experience provided by locally-owned restaurants, shops and other businesses that will get them to come back or to recommend the city to friends and family.  So, we need these businesses to be around and be thriving for the long-term health of our tourism economy,” Tim Brady, President & CEO, Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information on these initiatives, please visit SupportSmallCWV.com.