by Dennis Dalman
About a dozen officials from the Minnesota Small Business Administration enjoyed a Nov. 14 walking tour of the many unique businesses in St. Joseph.
“It was a fantastic walking tour, and the SBA team enjoyed getting to experience a little bit of St. Joseph,” said Hannah Hollingshead, SBA outreach and marketing specialist.
Accompanying them on the tour was St. Joseph Community Director Nate Keller. The visitors stopped at six businesses, learned about each one and talked with the owners. The businesses were Bad Habit Brewing Company, Krewe (restaurant/bar), Bruno Press, Flour & Flower Bakery, WR Home Co./WR Littles, and White Peony.
Keller then accompanied the visitors on a walk to point out other businesses along Minnesota Street, College Avenue and Ash Street.
“It shows St. Joseph has so many creative, innovative, unique businesses and that we are all so community-connective,” Keller told the Newsleaders. “It was an absolute pleasure showcasing our town and having the SBA and other partners in town. I especially enjoyed the time we had to walk along Minnesota Street, College Avenue and Ash Street to highlight other businesses along that stretch as well.”
The SBA tour was mostly geared toward the promotion and celebration of the organization’s “Season of Small Business” campaign and its Nov. 30 “Small Business Saturday” events, which was begun 15 years ago by American Express.
United States SBA Administrator Isabel Casilla Guzman, who also worked in the Biden Administration, shared her thoughts about why the SBA and its regional branches are so important for America’s 34 million small businesses.
“Small Business Saturday,” Guzman said, “has become America’s call to action to support the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities – small businesses.
“America’s incredible entrepreneurs create jobs, drive innovation and strengthen our communities, shaping the unique character of neighborhoods across America,” Guzman added. “This year, as we continue to enjoy an unprecedented small-business boom, I encourage everyone to give big and shop local by supporting local businesses and the millions of hardworking Americans behind them.”
Guzman said during the Biden-Harris Administration, there was business boom, with almost 20 million new business applications filed nationwide, driven mostly by women and people of color.
According to American Express, as reported by the SBA, total spending by U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $201 billion last year.
The SBA’s holiday season efforts to promote local spending throughout the nation will continue through December.
Mateo Mackbee, co-owner of Krewe, reacts to Minnesota Small Business Administration members during a walking tour Nov. 14. Krewe is a New Orleans-style Cajun/Creole restaurant that opened in 2019 in downtown St. Joseph.
Minnesota Small Business Administration, during a walking tour of St. Joseph, stopped at six businesses to meet and chat with business owners and employees. The photo above was taken during a visit to Krewe restaurant on College Avenue S.
Nate Keller
