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Shop Small Bay County
Small Businesses. Big Community Impact.
Every purchase tells a story. Make yours local.
From neighborhood boutiques and specialty shops to restaurants, service providers, and family-owned businesses, small businesses help give Bay County its character.
They create jobs, support local families, contribute to community organizations, and bring unique products, services, and experiences to the places we call home.
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors to make a difference by choosing to shop, dine, and do business locally — not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.
Because when we support small businesses, we invest in the future of Bay County.
Why Shopping Small Matters
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
Behind every small business is a story — an entrepreneur who took a chance, a family building a future, or a team working to serve its community.
When you choose a locally owned business, your purchase does more than support a single transaction. It helps strengthen the economic and social fabric of Bay County.
Supporting Local Jobs
Small businesses create employment opportunities and help residents build careers close to home.
Strengthening Our Economy
Local spending supports business activity, helps sustain existing companies, and encourages entrepreneurship throughout Bay County.
Investing in Our Community
Small businesses frequently support local schools, nonprofit organizations, community events, and charitable initiatives.
Celebrating What Makes Bay County Unique
From independent retailers and restaurants to specialty services and creative entrepreneurs, locally owned businesses contribute to the distinctive character of our communities.
Building Meaningful Connections
Shopping small creates opportunities to get to know the people behind the businesses and build relationships that make our community stronger.
Encouraging Future Entrepreneurs
Supporting today's small businesses helps create an environment where new ideas, businesses, and opportunities can take root.
Small businesses aren't just part of Bay County's economy. They're part of what makes Bay County home.
Discover Local Businesses
Find Your Next Local Favorite
Looking for a unique gift, a new restaurant, a trusted service provider, or a business you've never visited before?
Bay County is home to a diverse network of businesses ready to welcome you.
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Member Directory makes it easy to explore Chamber-member businesses throughout the community.
Discover local shops, restaurants, professional services, attractions, health and wellness providers, and other businesses that help make Bay County a great place to live, work, and visit.
Whether you're shopping for something special or looking for an everyday service, consider supporting a local business first.
Explore Shopping in Bay County
Find Something Special Around Every Corner
Shopping in Bay County is about more than finding what you need. It's an opportunity to explore our communities, discover unique shops, and experience the local businesses that give each destination its character.
From downtown storefronts and neighborhood boutiques to specialty retailers and shopping destinations throughout the county, there's always something new to discover.
Whether you're a longtime resident or visiting for the first time, explore the shopping experiences that make Bay County special.
Small Business Saturday
One Day to Celebrate. A Year-Round Reason to Shop Small.
Each year, Small Business Saturday encourages communities across the country to celebrate and support small businesses during the holiday shopping season.
Held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the initiative reminds shoppers of the important role small businesses play in creating jobs, strengthening neighborhoods, and supporting local economies.
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is proud to encourage residents and visitors to participate by exploring the many small businesses throughout Bay County.
Small Business Saturday 2026
Saturday, November 28, 2026
This holiday season, make a commitment to shop small and support the businesses that make Bay County special.
Whether you're purchasing gifts, enjoying a meal, booking a service, or discovering a new favorite business, your support makes a difference.
And this year, we're making it even more fun to explore local businesses.
DISCOVER THE SHOP SMALL PASSPORT CHALLENGE ↓
The Shop Small Passport Challenge
Shop Local. Collect Stamps. Enter to Win.
Discover more of Bay County's small businesses while supporting the people who make our community thrive.
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is developing a Shop Small Passport Challenge to encourage residents and visitors to explore participating small businesses during the Small Business Saturday shopping season.
Pick up a passport, visit participating businesses, make purchases, and collect stamps along the way.
Complete your passport and return it to the Chamber for an opportunity to be entered into a prize drawing.
Make Every Stop Count
Every participating business has something to offer, and every visit is an opportunity to discover another reason to shop small.
Whether you're finding holiday gifts, supporting a favorite restaurant, or exploring a business for the first time, the Shop Small Passport Challenge is designed to make supporting local businesses a fun community experience.
How It Works
1. Pick Up Your Passport
Visit the Bay County Chamber of Commerce office to receive your Shop Small Passport, featuring participating local businesses.
2. Explore & Shop Local
Use your passport to discover participating businesses throughout Bay County. Visit locations, explore their products and services, and make qualifying purchases.
3. Collect Your Stamps
Receive a stamp in your passport when you make a qualifying purchase at a participating business.
4. Complete Your Passport
Collect the required stamps and follow the instructions in your passport to complete the challenge.
5. Return It to the Chamber
Bring your completed passport back to the Bay County Chamber of Commerce by the announced deadline to be entered into the prize drawing.
Official participation details, qualifying purchase requirements, passport completion criteria, prize information, drawing rules, and deadlines will be announced before the challenge begins. No purchase is necessary to enter a sweepstakes if required by applicable law; final rules will govern.
Are You a Small Business Owner?
Be Part of Shop Small Bay County
Small businesses are at the heart of this initiative, and the Bay County Chamber of Commerce wants to help connect your business with shoppers throughout the community.
Participating in Shop Small Bay County is an opportunity to introduce your business to new customers, strengthen relationships with existing customers, and become part of a community-wide effort to support local commerce.
Why Participate?
Increase Your Visibility
Introduce your business to residents and visitors who may not have discovered you yet.
Welcome New Customers
Encourage shoppers to explore your location, products, and services.
Connect With the Community
Participate in a coordinated campaign that celebrates small businesses throughout Bay County.
Encourage Local Spending
Help keep small businesses top-of-mind during the holiday season and beyond.
Be Part of Something Bigger
Join fellow businesses in strengthening the local economy and building a more connected community.
Interested in Participating?
The Chamber is gathering interest from small businesses that would like to be part of the 2026 Shop Small campaign and Passport Challenge.
Participation details and requirements will be provided as plans are finalized.
Small Business Saturday Resources for Businesses
Get Ready. Spread the Word. Welcome More Shoppers.
Make the most of Small Business Saturday with free promotional tools and resources from American Express. Whether you're participating in the Chamber's Shop Small activities or promoting your business independently, these resources can help you attract customers and encourage local shopping.
Resources provided by American Express. Availability and eligibility may vary.
Looking for more ways to grow your business? Explore the Chamber's Business Development Resources for additional tools, assistance, and opportunities.
Shop Local All Year Long
Small Business Support Doesn't End on Saturday
Small Business Saturday may happen once a year, but the impact of shopping small can last all year.
Supporting local businesses doesn't always require a special occasion. It can be as simple as choosing a neighborhood restaurant, purchasing a gift from an independent retailer, hiring a local service provider, or recommending a favorite business to a friend.
There are many ways to make a difference:
Every small action helps build a stronger business community.
Building a Better Bay Starts With Us
Together, We Make a Difference
A thriving community depends on the businesses and people who invest in it.
When we choose to shop small, we support more than storefronts. We support neighbors, entrepreneurs, employees, families, and the future of Bay County.
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is proud to champion the businesses that contribute to our community's growth, character, and economic vitality.
Shop Small. Support Local. Build a Better Bay.
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