HOUGHTON — While Black Friday lures shoppers in for big-ticket items at large retailers, people who want to keep their dollars closer to home have plenty of options. 

Local chambers of commerce are planning Small Business Saturday events this week. Both the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce and Baraga County Chamber of Commerce have been endorsed by the national “Shop Small” campaign, part of the concept created by American Express in 2010.

From 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce building at 902 College Ave. in Houghton will serve as a welcome center. Along with free donuts and coffee, people can grab a free tote bag — and a 15-page coupon booklet. Around 100 local businesses are represented. Some, like Joey’s or Surplus Outlet, are a quick walk down the street away. People can also use their coupons to check out places further away, like Copper World in Calumet or Stained Glass Classes at Rice Lake. 

As even more incentive, those who stop by will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Keweenaw Cash gift certificate. 

“Many of the businesses make up our membership,” said Joanna Datto, office assistant for the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce. “We’re out here to just encourage people to shop locally and get out there and see what our own small local businesses offer.”

The Baraga County Chamber office on Main Street will host its own welcome station at its office on 1 Main St. in L’Anse from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. They will have refreshables, reusable shopping bags and chances to win door prizes.

It’s a smaller affair than Houghton’s, with about 25 people stopping by the office last year, Koskinen said. But they’re still able to offer great deals. About six businesses in downtown L’Anse are offering promotions related to it, including the Abbey Pine Gift Shop, Koskinen said. Other businesses in Baraga and Covington are also participating.

By patronizing local businesses, shoppers can help the wider area thrive, Koskinen said. She pointed to an Andersonville Study of Retail Economics study showing that out of every $100 spent at local small businesses, $68 stays in the community. By comparison, the same amount of spending at a big box store only keeps $43 in the area. 

“It’s one of those things where it gives you a catalyst,” she said. “It’s a thing to point attention to the importance of shopping small at your local businesses, and just hope that it will continue — shopping local, shopping small.”

Red Jacket Boutique will also host a holiday market for Small Business Saturday at the Keweenaw Heritage Center in Calumet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Several local vendors will be present, including Sweet Pea Boutique, Blue Harbor by Mandy Markham, Abe & Maggie, Olive & Brynn and Cedar & Sage.