FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Linzy Browne, Stafford County Department of Economic Development
540-658-8681
Stafford, VA — The Stafford County Economic Development Department has successfully completed its first-ever Shop Small Stafford program, an awareness-driven initiative encouraging residents to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025. The inaugural campaign generated measurable economic impact, strong community participation, and increased visibility for Stafford’s small business community.
A total of 50 local businesses participated, engaging residents through in-person locations, online offerings, and the Shop Small Market at Long Family Markets. Using a centralized Digital Passport, 320 shoppers explored local businesses, checked in at participating locations, and supported Stafford businesses throughout the day.
The campaign resulted in:
- 319 estimated transactions
- $34,963.32 in estimated gross receipts
- $23,775.06 retained in Stafford’s local economy
According to the American Express Small Business Economic Impact Study, approximately $0.68 of every $1 spent at a small business stays in the local community, reinforcing the importance of shopping local and closing Stafford’s retail gap.
“This campaign was an important pilot for our department,” said Liz Barber, Economic Development & Tourism Director of Stafford County. “Shop Small Stafford helped raise awareness of our local businesses and showed residents how their everyday shopping decisions directly support Stafford’s economy.”
Program Overview
Shop Small Stafford was built around a Digital Passport designed to make shopping local simple, interactive, and rewarding. Participating businesses were featured within the digital platform, where shoppers could view local offerings and plan where to shop on Small Business Saturday. As residents visited participating businesses, they checked in using the Digital Passport, with each check-in serving as an entry into prize drawings. This check-in process encouraged shoppers to explore multiple local businesses throughout the day while creating an added incentive to support Stafford’s small business community. The program combined promotion, participation, and rewards to drive foot traffic, increase business visibility, and reinforce the economic impact of shopping small.
LIVE Prize Drawing & Community Support
The campaign concluded with a LIVE Facebook prize drawing on December 2, 2025, featuring Deuntay Diggs, Chairman of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. Shoppers who checked in at participating businesses were entered to win prizes.
The grand prizes—a $1,000 gift card and two $500 gift cards—were donated by the Stafford County Economic Development Authority (EDA) as a direct investment in local businesses. The $1,000 gift card and one $500 gift card were awarded to A-Z Meats, while the remaining $500 gift card was awarded to The Drip Bar of Stafford.
“Supporting initiatives like Shop Small Stafford aligns directly with the EDA’s mission to strengthen our local economy,” said Jack Rowley, Chairman of the Stafford County Economic Development Authority. “These investments help build awareness, drive customer engagement, and support long-term growth for Stafford businesses.”
In addition to the EDA-funded grand prizes, the department recognized and thanked numerous local businesses that generously donated additional prizes in support of the program, including:
The Drip Bar • Knot Just Wood • Barley Naked Brewery • A-Z Meats • Body Thief Body Sculpting • Corgi Clay • Premier Athletics • Laser Bryce LLC • Potomac Point Winery • Old Virginia Gourmet Gifts • 77 Barbershop • Tater’s Corner • Kitchens For You • Tilly’s Homemade Ice Cream • F45 Fitness • Olla Café & Bar • Monster Mini Golf • Faithfully Fit & Frugal • Bakery Anomaly • Sol to Soul Yoga Studio • Your Favorite Kharacters • Art Cart • Abner B’s • Sarah’s Bakery • Glam Room Salon Suites
Business & Shopper Impact
Local business owners emphasized the value of the Shop Small Stafford campaign and the visibility it created.
“Being part of Shop Small Stafford was incredibly meaningful for us,” said Zack Zawoiski, owner of A-Z Meats. “The program brought new customers through our doors and reminded the community that local businesses like ours are here because of their support. We’re grateful to Stafford County for investing in initiatives that truly make a difference for small businesses.”
“Shop Small Stafford was a wonderful opportunity to connect with new customers and feel the support of the community,” said Pamela Paxton, owner of The Drip Bar of Stafford. “We’re thankful to have participated in a campaign that not only celebrates small businesses but actively drives people to shop local.”
Shoppers echoed that sentiment, noting that the program made it easier—and more rewarding—to support local businesses. One participants testimonial included,
“I was so excited when I heard that Stafford County was hosting a Small Business Saturday event. My family finds it important to support local businesses throughout the year. We’re frequent shoppers at Long Family Markets, so attending the Shop Small Market felt natural. We’re more aware than ever that consumer choices matter—shopping small keeps our tax dollars local and supports our friends and neighbors. Thank you to the Stafford County Economic Development Department for the amazing gift card we’re looking forward to spending at A-Z Meats.”
— Lisa L., Stafford County resident
Participating businesses included:
77 Barbershop • A-Z Meats • Abner B’s Ice Cream – Stafford • Amari’s Love Self-Care • Art Cart Kids • Enrichment Studio LLC • Bakery Anomaly • Bang Music Inc. • Barley Naked Brewing Company • Body Thief Body Sculpting • Champions Sportsplex • Cinnaholic Stafford • Claudia Tello Boutique LLC • Corgi Clay Art Center • DCL Management & Technology • Epoxy Me Crazy LLC • F45 Training Stafford VA • Faithfully Fit & Frugal LLC • Full Distance Brewing, LLC • FXBG eBike Tours LLC • Glamour Beauty and Brows • Gujarati Koala Mom • Hot Mama’s LLC • Kitchens For You • Knot Just Wood LLC • Koi Tea • Laser Bryce LLC • Let Go & Let God Apparel • Monster Mini Golf • Naturalli Mi LLC • NVA Docks • Olde Virginia Gourmet & Gifts, Inc. • Olla Café 
and Bar • Party of Eight Memories • Potomac Point Winery • Premier Athletics and Fitness LLC • Process Over Prize Academy • Sankt Michaels Farm • Sarah’s Bakery LLC • Sol to Soul Yoga • Splendr Boutique • Stay@Home Stitchings • Sugar & Pop • Tater’s Corner • The Drip Bar Stafford • The Fit Stop by Jesse • The Grounds Coffeehouse • Tilly’s Homemade Ice Cream • Unfiltered Lactation • Wild Waylon’s BBQ • Your Favorite Kharacters
Looking Ahead
With strong participation and positive results, Shop Small Stafford is planned to return on Small Business Saturday, November 28, 2026. The Stafford County Economic Development Department will continue building on this effort to expand awareness, participation, and economic impact for local businesses.
To learn more and sign up for Shop Small Stafford 2026, visit:
https://www.gostaffordva.com/shop-small-stafford/
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About Stafford County Department of Economic Development | Stafford EDA
The Stafford County Department of Economic Development is the sales and customer service arm for Stafford County, Virginia, committed to advancing expansion and investment for the community. As the official economic development organization of Stafford County, our mission is to promote, solicit and encourage business growth through marketing and media services that enhance economic activity and quality of life within the Stafford region. Stafford County is located halfway between Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. In partnership with the Stafford Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Stafford County Department of Economic Development and the EDA has helped finance and support business growth in Stafford since the EDA’s inception in 1970. In addition to business loan programs, in recent years, the EDA has helped develop a number of vacant and underused properties in Stafford.
For more information on Stafford’s Economic Development and the Stafford EDA, visit www.GoStaffordVA.com and www.StaffordEDA.com, and follow on Facebook, LinkedIn or get connected through the monthly business newsletter.