Small Business: A BIG part of our story in the Twin Cities

Paschall Bros. Gem Pharmacy, A. Huddleston & Co. Hardware Dealers, City Bakery, The Shacklett-Thomas Hardware Co., Incorporated, The "New" Meadows Hotel, and the Fulton Daily Leader may, or may not sound familiar to today's shoppers, as the Christmas season commences, officially, the day after Thanksgiving, better known as Black Friday, and the next day, Small Business Saturday. 
But each of those businesses, all small businesses, was featured in a special edition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Fulton Daily Leader, published in 1998. Those businesses, owned by men, women and families chose the Twin Cities. They are part of our story.
Those were the businesses which set up shop here, many, many years ago. They forged the way for growth and prosperity. They employed and serviced friends and neighbors. They worked hard for a dollar, and gave when they saw a need.
This week's edition of The Current honors the small businesses, on pages 1, 2, 11 and 12, still dedicated to the same principle, building upon the same foundation. Take time to read their stories, because they are a big part of ours, here in the Twin Cities. 
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30, a day when holiday shopping is encouraged at brick and mortar, local small businesses. 
Support, however, is needed year-round, to make sure their story has a happy ending. 
Think local first, shop local first, so we all move ahead to the next chapter.