Main Street Monitor

What this week means for Main Street This week’s holiday rush is real, but it’s not the free-for-all it used to be. Shoppers are out, and they’re walking into small businesses with intention as well as guardrails. Budgets are tighter, comparison shopping is easier, and people are being more selective about what earns their dollars. They’re looking for uniqueness, expertise, and a sense of “this came from somewhere,” not just another promo wall. [1][2] That mix — strong foot t

What this week means for Main Street Thanksgiving week isn’t just busy — it’s revealing. This is the one stretch of the year when customers who normally default to big-box stores or online giants actually walk through the doors of small businesses with intention. Consumer surveys show increased preference for local shopping during the holiday season [1]. Not because of a slogan, but because the holiday forces them to slow down, shop closer to home, and look for things they ca