Shop Local in Tracy This Holiday Season – and Beyond!

The holiday season is filled with family traditions and fun events. Even with the rise of online retail, countless residents in Tracy, CA, still enjoy shopping in-store, picking up items locally, or buying gift cards from their favorite shops.   

“As you make your list – and check it twice – see what you can buy from local Tracy businesses,” said Jorge Barrera, Economic Development Manager for the city. “Many local stores have deals during Small Business Saturday and throughout December. Buying from entrepreneurs and franchise owners can help support local businesses throughout the year and into 2025.”

Big Impact on Small Business Saturday Small Business Saturday takes place each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, an event created by American Express in 2010 that has been cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) since 2011. This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 30th. 

Many favorite shopping memories are made when visiting a small business in Tracy. There is something special about shopping at a local store where the owners greet you by name, swap stories, and ask how your family is doing. 

Shopping Inside the Triangle has a big impact on our local and U.S. economies. In the last 25 years, small businesses have created over 60 percent of new jobs, just one of the many vital reasons to direct holiday spending toward small businesses. Here are even more positive effects of shopping in Tracy: 

• You help create and sustain local jobs and encourage purchases of locally-sourced products, which strengthen our economy and help to improve Tracy’s overall quality of life
• Out of every dollar you spend in Tracy, 1.5 cents funds local programs and services
• By shopping local, you help support businesses that are working hard to stay open in a post-COVID landscape 

We encourage you to make a day (or night!) out of shopping in Tracy! Grab a bite to eat, raise a glass with your favorite people, and start checking off your holiday shopping list with a unique purchase from one of our wonderful small businesses located in: 

• Downtown Tracy
• West Valley Mall
• Northgate Village

You can even go the extra mile and give an independent retailer a positive review online and share your interest on social media.  

Show Your Support!  Don’t forget about the fun and festive activities we have on our community calendar this holiday season. It’s a great way to support the city even further! Come early and stay late to shop, play, and dine during the following events:  

• Saturday, November 23: Downtown Tracy Holiday Ornament Stroll 
  • The countdown to the Giving Season begins with our annual ornament stroll! There is no charge to stroll downtown, but ticketed attendees will be gifted an ornament from participating businesses 
• Saturday, December 7: Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting Ceremony
  • Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a magical and festive night in downtown Tracy! The parade includes nearly 50 entrants who will be decking their floats with thousands of lights and holiday music, followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Front Street Plaza 

There’s Never an “Off Season” to Shop Locally in Tracy While December is a wonderful month to support local businesses, there’s never an “off-season” to support entrepreneurs and franchise owners in Tracy. These are your friends and neighbors who put their entire lives into their businesses. What seems like a small purchase for you can have a big impact on the business in Tracy and help them grow in 2025 and beyond. 

Think local this winter, whether buying a ring to propose under the mistletoe or simply picking up a cup of cocoa. Your shopping choices can help Tracy thrive. For more information about the power of shopping locally in Tracy, check out our website!