Mayor Issues Holiday Challenge: 'Shop Small'

BOSTON, MA — This Saturday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh kicked off the city's annual "Holidays on Main Streets" campaign, a small business initiative to encourage Boston residents to shop local this holiday season.

Here's what the City had to say:

At the celebration held at the Roslindale Village Main Street holiday tree lighting, Mayor Walsh announced the relaunch of the "#5onMain" challenge, and recognized Small Business Saturday and related activities throughout the City of Boston Main Street Districts.

"I'm urging every holiday shopper to enjoy what our Main Street districts have to offer this holiday season by participating in the '5 on Main' challenge," said Mayor Walsh. "Our Main Street districts are an important part of our local economy. Out of every dollar spent in a local business district, 58 cents will be returned to that community, fueling our local economies and contributing to more vibrant neighborhoods."

Mayor Walsh's "#5onMain" challenge is designed to inspire holiday shoppers to support Main Streets and other local commercial districts during the holiday season. Participants pledge to support local businesses at least five times during the holiday season, either by purchasing gifts, dining or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts. Holiday shoppers are encouraged to accept the challenge via social media, using the hashtag "#5onMain."

To participate in the Mayor's Holiday Challenge on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, use the hashtag #5onMain. In order to help shoppers and businesses participate in the Challenge, draft tweets for participants are available in the social media kit found here and a package of shareable graphics can be found here.

Image via City of Boston