By Joe Bachman
Editor

STEVENS POINT — Local business owner Tara Manzke was recognized for her role in the creation of Shop Small Saturday on Monday, along with the Downtown Stevens Point business partners.

In total, 30.2 million small businesses employ 58.9 million individuals, which makes up roughly 47.5 percent of the workforce. Saturday’s event will have a “passport” that customers can get stamped at local businesses to win prizes.

“The holiday season is coming up and it’s important for people to remember to shop small.” said Wiza.”We’ve got a pretty good variety of gifts here; and when you spend your money here, it stays here.”

“It means a lot to have the recognition of the event, highlights how important shop small is, because it’s huge to recognize our local small businesses,” said Manzke. “We would hope that this branches off to all-year long, and not one day.”

Last year the Shop Small event started with 12 businesses, which has now expanded to 19.

“Our downtown is growing and expanding, and that’s something to be excited about,” said Manzke. “We have a downtown that is becoming a robust downtown, and it’s becoming more of a destination, and we should be proud of that.”