Cambridge urges residents to shop local this holiday season

The City of Cambridge announced Oct. 29 a campaign encouraging residents to support local shops and restaurants throughout the holiday season.

The city said small businesses bring character, creativity and jobs to Cambridge neighborhoods, and that spending at an independent business keeps more money in the local economy "compared to less than half spent at a national chain." The announcement noted that holiday sales can determine whether small businesses stay open through the winter.

Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 28, 2026, but the city said storefronts need support "all season long."

The city offered several ways residents can help. To avoid high delivery fees, it suggested ordering directly from restaurants by calling ahead, walking in or using a restaurant's website rather than a delivery app, which can take up to 30% of a sale. It also recommended paying with cash or debit, since credit card swipes cost owners 2% to 4%, and choosing in-store or curbside pickup over home delivery to save carrier fees and reduce packaging waste.

Other suggestions included shopping online through neighborhood stores' own websites, buying gift cards directly from local businesses to support cash flow during slower winter months, booking services and class packages early, buying holiday food from neighborhood grocers and winter markets, and sharing recommendations or reviews for local businesses on social media.

The city pointed residents to business district listings for Central Square, East Cambridge and Inman Square, Harvard Square, Kendall Square, Observatory Hill and Huron Village, Porter Square, and the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network for local events and shop information.

Small business owners who want to share holiday events or request stickers and window decals can contact city staff at edd@cambridgema.gov.

Source: Town of Cambridge announcement, October 30, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.