Downtown Cambridge Competes With Big Box Stores On Saturday - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

CAMBRIDGE, Md. - Thousands of consumers will be out this weekend shopping for a great deal, a there's no doubt, big box stores anticipate large crowds and long lines. But don't forget about those small businesses in our area.

Watch out big box stores - Downtown Cambridge is ready to compete Thanksgiving weekend with shopping and restaurant deals. "Small business Saturday is a real celebration of everything that goes on in small communities across the country," executive director of Cambridge Main Street Mari Stanley said.

It's a push to stimulate the local economy. "It's very very important  that people understand what small businesses do in the United States today. They are by far, the biggest employer across the country. For every cent, every dollar that's spent downtown, most of that is going back into the communities," Stanley said.

Fifteen years ago, Main Street was pretty much a ghost town - and now, it's been brought back to life. Business owners say they hope it will only continue to grow and flourish. "The town had really died, and it was really very sad. But it's really improved. Over the last 5 years, it's just been an incredible improvement," owner of Joie De Vivre Gallery Joy Staniforth said.

Anthony Thomas, owner of Canvasback restaurant says, "it's going to support the whole town, and it's going to support the watermen and everybody else that's here. I believe it's going to be another Annapolis, and I strongly believe that."

19 businesses in Downtown Cambridge will have special deals this Saturday. For a full list of participating stores and to print out a coupon, head to www.cambridgemainstreet.com.