Support Women-Owned Businesses at the MWBC Shop Local Retail Incubator This Small Business Saturday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2024
 
Media Contacts:
Amanda Bosland, Marketing & Communications Director
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)
amanda@rockvilleredi.org
 

 
 
Rockville, MD – Small Business Saturday is just around the corner on Saturday, November 30, 2024, and the entrepreneurs at MWBC Shop Local, the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) Retail Incubator Program, are ready to welcome holiday shoppers to the busiest season of the year for small businesses.
 
Since its launch in 2019, the Shop Local program has helped entrepreneurs overcome barriers to starting and sustaining their businesses. Through mentorship, visual merchandising training, and hands-on retail experience, participants take part in six-month cohorts to operate brick-and-mortar storefronts. Throughout the year, the cohorts also host maker events, creating opportunities to engage with the community and showcase their products. This year, MWBC Shop Local celebrates its growth with two locations: the flagship store at Rockville Town Square (36D Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD) and the newest location at Savage Mill (8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD).
 
"Rockville is proud to support small business innovation and entrepreneurship, and the MWBC Shop Local program exemplifies this commitment," said Monique Ashton, Mayor of the City of Rockville. “By providing entrepreneurs with critical resources like technical assistance, retail opportunities, and a strong support network, this initiative helps small businesses thrive while strengthening the fabric of our local economy. The program’s growth and success reflect Rockville’s dedication to fostering innovation and empowering local talent. This holiday season, I encourage everyone to visit MWBC Shop Local to discover unique gifts and directly support the small businesses that make our city special.”
 
Participants in this year’s MWBC Shop Local program are offering an array of unique products, including jewelry, home décor, skin and body care essentials, and accessories that make for perfect holiday gifts. At both locations, customers will receive a free canvas tote with purchase, while supplies last.
 
The Rockville location will offer discounts of up to 50% off select items, along with complimentary apple cider and cookies for shoppers to enjoy. At the Savage Mill location, customers can take advantage of exclusive deals, including buy-one-get-one offers, special bundles, seasonal discounts, and unique stocking-stuffer options.
 
"Shopping small isn’t just about discovering one-of-a-kind treasures—it’s about supporting the dreams and hard work of entrepreneurs like me," said Daphne Lee owner of Potahto and participant in MWBC Shop Local at Rockville Town Square. "This Small Business Saturday, every purchase you make helps strengthen our community, fuels the growth of local businesses, and ensures that small entrepreneurs like us can continue doing what we love."
 
"As a small business owner, every purchase from my shop directly supports my dream to achieve my very own retail location which serves the local community interactively,” said Richelle Johnson, owner of Queen’s Temple Handmade and a participant in MWBC Shop Local at Savage Mill. “This Small Business Saturday, I encourage everyone to shop small—not just to discover unique gifts, but to make a lasting impact on the small businesses that make our community vibrant and unique.”
 
For more information about MWBC Shop Local visit mwbcshoplocal.com and follow @mwbcshoplocal on Instagram for updates and highlights. 
   
Maryland Women's Business Center (MWBC) is a signature program or Rockville Economic Development, Inc. MWBC works with women entrepreneurs and small businesses across Maryland’s Capital Region to help them to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. Through workshops, individual counseling, facilitated peer group support, special resources, and access to capital, MWBC annually helps more than 1,500 women gain the skills, connections, and confidence necessary to navigate entrepreneurship. Learn more at marylandwbc.org. 
 
MWBC Shop Local is a retail incubator program designed to support women entrepreneurs in Maryland’s Capital Region. By providing shared retail space, business training, and technical assistance, the program helps entrepreneurs test the viability of their products and services in a real-world environment. MWBC Shop Local is a program of MWBC, dedicated to empowering women through entrepreneurship. Learn more at mwbcshoplocal.com.
 
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)  is a public-private partnership that helps businesses launch, locate, and expand in Rockville, Maryland. Committed to economic development, REDI is proactive in supporting existing industries and attracting new companies with the tools to get started in Rockville and resources and guidance for existing companies in the city. Learn more at rockvilleredi.org.