"Shop Small Stratford is an opportunity to support our local businesses who struggled this year," Mayor Laura Hoydick said.

Shop Small Stratford Day is Saturday in Stratford. (Shutterstock/Heather A Phillips)

STRATFORD, CT — The town of Stratford is encouraging the community to support local, small businesses in its annual Shop Small Stratford campaign. Mayor Laura Hoydick has issued a proclamation declaring Saturday to be Shop Small Stratford Day in conjunction with the national program Small Business Saturday.

"Shop Small Stratford is an opportunity to support our local businesses who struggled this year," Hoydick said in a town news release. "If you are not comfortable visiting your favorite establishment, place an online order or call in an order for curbside pick-up. Our small businesses are getting creative on ways to fulfill the needs of the community, allowing us to shop small, shop local and shop safe."

The annual Shop Small Stratford Day event capitalizes on Small Business Saturday, which is nationally sponsored by American Express. In addition to shopping small this Saturday, the town urges residents to keep the small business sector in mind throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

According to Hoydick's proclamation, 62 percent of U.S. small businesses reported that they need to see consumer spending return to pre-coronavirus levels by the end of 2020 in order to continue operations.

There is no cost for a business to participate in Shop Small Stratford Day. All independently owned Stratford-based small businesses (with or without a physical storefront) can sign up to participate by contacting info@celebratestratford.com or 203-385-4029.