Small Business Saturday (two days after Thanksgiving) offers a chance to reflect on how we spend money and the impact those choices have on the communities we inhabit. It’s a day to celebrate the shops and spaces that shape our community, from independent cafés to locally minded franchises.
Franchises and small businesses may seem worlds apart, but the gap between them can be surprisingly small. Both are often powered by passionate individuals who take risks, invest with purpose, and build connections that matter. Franchise owners may operate within brand parameters, but social entrepreneurship is what brings these businesses to life. Supporting them fuels the people behind them—real individuals who are driven by the idea that business should serve more than just profit. Look around your neighborhood, and maybe you’ll see what I mean.
Take Farm & Market in downtown Denver. This innovative business combines a hydroponic farm, fresh produce market, and plant-forward restaurant—powered entirely by wind energy and using a fraction of the water required by traditional farming. Farm & Market is setting a new bar for sustainable business by reimagining urban agriculture and bringing fresh, local food right to Denver’s center. They’re a model for what an environmentally conscious, community-driven business can look like. It’s no wonder we hosted part of the 2024 Sticky Fingers Cooking Franchise Owner Summit at Farm & Market!
Just two miles away, Convivio Café embodies social entrepreneurship through a focus on Latin American heritage and community connection. Co-owners Kristin and Vivi source their coffee beans directly from women-owned farms in Guatemala, creating a sustainable, women-centered supply chain. Their mission? To bring people together around coffee and food in a space where everyone is welcome. With a calendar packed with cultural events, language exchanges, workshops, and artisan fairs, Convivio Café fosters learning and cross-cultural connection. It’s also why Convivio Café is a favorite meeting spot for Sticky Fingers Cooking staff!
Then, there’s Barolo Grill, co-owned by Sticky Fingers Cooking® founder Erin Fletter and her husband Ryan. Known for its exceptional Northern Italian cuisine, Barolo Grill exemplifies social entrepreneurship by blending culinary excellence with a deep commitment to community. Every year, Erin and Ryan send the entire Barolo staff to Italy, immersing them in regional cooking traditions that they bring right back to Denver. Barolo also partners with nearby farms, supports local schools and charities, and actively engages with the community it has been part of for over 30 years. When our team has cause for celebration, you better believe we’re headed to Barolo!
So, please think BIG while shopping small on Small Business Saturday. Every dollar spent locally supports a network of business owners connected to a community’s growth and character. Every purchase is like a vote for the communities we want to build.
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