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  • 2026 Shop Small Stafford Application

    Small Business Saturday, founded by American Express in 2010, is a nationwide initiative celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage shoppers to support the small, locally owned businesses that are the heart of their communities. Over the years, it’s grown into a nationwide tradition that helps bring shoppers into local stores during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.

    Stafford County Economic Development & Tourism is proud to continue the Shop Small Stafford campaign as part of this national movement. In its inaugural year, the Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport engaged more than 320 shoppers, connecting them with participating businesses across the county. This year's campaign aims to build on that success by encouraging even more residents and visitors to discover local businesses, support Stafford's entrepreneurs, and shop small throughout the holiday season.

    Participating businesses will be featured in the free passport that shoppers can download. As customers visit participating businesses, they'll scan a unique QR code (provided by Stafford County Economic Development & Tourism) to "check in." Each eligible check in earns the shopper an entry into our grand prize drawing.

    Grand Prizes
    Following Small Business Saturday, three randomly selected participants will win:

    • One $1,000 gift card
    • Two $500 gift cards

    All prizes must be redeemed at participating Shop Small Stafford businesses, keeping prize dollars invested in our local business community.

    What Participating Businesses Receive

    • A listing in the official Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport
    • A unique QR code for customer check ins
    • An acryllic stand to display the QR code
    • Shop Small Stafford branded tote bags and stickers to give away to your customers
    • Promotion through Stafford County Economic Development & Tourism's marketing channels, including social media, website, and campaign materials
    • Increased visibility and opportunities to attract new customers throughout the campaign

  • Business Eligibility & Participation Requirements

    Please review the eligibility requirements and important updates for the 2026 Shop Small Stafford campaign before continuing your application.

  • Who Can Participate?

    Shop Small Stafford is open to qualifying small businesses that help make Stafford County a great place to live, work, and visit.

    Please note: Applying does not guarantee acceptance. Each application will be reviewed to make sure all requirements are met. Once the review process is complete, confirmation emails will be sent to applicants who are approved.

    Important Changes for 2026

    If you participated in Shop Small Stafford last year, please note that this year's Digital Passport will operate slightly different.

    The 2026 Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport will use QR code check-ins only. Alternative check-in methods, such as entry codes or geolocation, will no longer be available.

    To participate, businesses must be open and operating on Small Business Saturday (November 28, 2026) at one of the following locations:

    • A commercial business location in Stafford County
    • The Shop Small Market through Long Family Markets at the Route 610 VDOT Commuter Lot

    Businesses without a commercial storefront are encouraged to participate in the special Shop Small Market through Long Family Markets, where they may display their QR code and welcome shoppers as part of the campaign. Please note that applying for Shop Small Stafford does not register you for the market and that there is a $20 fee to participate as a vendor at the market. Apply for the Shop Small Market here.

    Eligibility Requirements

    In addition to the Small Business Saturday location requirement above, participating businesses must:

    • Operate from a location within Stafford County.
      • Businesses located outside Stafford County are welcome to apply to participate in the Shop Small Market through Long Family Markets; however, they are not eligible to be included in the Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport.
    • Be in good standing with the Stafford County Commissioner of the Revenue.
    • Meet the franchise eligibility requirements, if part of a franchise brand, of no more than 250 total stores and/or 25 corporate-owned stores.

    Online and Home-Based Businesses

    Online and home-based businesses are welcome to apply. To participate, these businesses must be set up and operating on Small Business Saturday, November 28, 2026, at either the Shop Small Market through Long Family Markets or an approved commercial location.

    Online and home-based businesses can apply to appear in the American Express Online Directory section of the Shop Small Map.

    Businesses That Are Not Eligible

    To keep the campaign focused on supporting local small businesses, the following organizations and business types are not eligible to participate:

    • Government agencies and public administration
    • Gas stations and businesses located on the same premises as a gas station
    • Charities and nonprofit organizations
    • Peer-to-peer payment platforms and crowdfunding organizations
    • Trade associations
    • Shopping center or property management companies
    • Direct sellers and multilevel marketing businesses
    • Political organizations
    • Franchise businesses that exceed the small-business franchise guidelines

    By submitting an application, the business confirms that it meets the eligibility requirements above and will be open, operating, and able to display its assigned QR code at an eligible Stafford County location on November 28, 2026.

    If you have any questions, please reach out to Morgan Lynch at mlynch@staffordcountyva.gov.

  • Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport Application

    Complete this application to have your business considered for inclusion in the 2026 Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport.
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Do you want the email and phone number provided to be visible in the Digital Passport?
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Business Social Media Profiles
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  • Business Location

    Please provide some additional details about your business, including its primary location, business type, and where you plan to operate on Small Business Saturday.
  • Does your business have a Stafford-based location?*

  • Thanks for Your Interest in Shop Small Stafford!

    We appreciate your interest in being part of Shop Small Stafford! Because the Digital Passport is designed to highlight businesses operating within Stafford County, businesses must have a Stafford-based location to be included.

    Looking for another way to take part in Small Business Saturday? The Shop Small Market hosted by Long Family Markets is a separate opportunity that welcomes applications from businesses located outside Stafford County.

    Apply for the Shop Small Market here.

     

     

  • Please select the option that best applies to your business*
  • Where do you plan to operate on Small Business Saturday?*

  • Not Registered Yet?

    Businesses without a commercial location must register for the Shop Small Market hosted by Long Family Markets to participate in the Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport. We encourage you to register for the market and return to complete this application once you're registered! Apply for the Shop Small Market.

     

     

  • Have you already registered with Long Family Markets for the Shop Small Market?

  • One More Step!

    Because you've indicated that you'll be participating in the Shop Small Market, you'll need to register with Long Family Markets before completing this application. Once your market registration is complete, return to finish your Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport application. Please complete your application for the Shop Small Market here.

     

     

  • Small Business Saturday Participation Details

    The following information will be used to build your business profile on the Digital Passport.
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  • Participation Requirements & Agreements

    Please review the following program requirements, prize information, and communication policies before submitting your application.

  • Prize Redemption Requirements

    The Stafford Economic Development Authority (EDA) is sponsoring the grand prizes for the 2026 Shop Small Stafford Digital Passport campaign.

    Each time a shopper checks in at a participating business, they will earn one entry into the grand prize drawing. At the end of the campaign, three winners will be selected to receive one $1,000 gift certificate and two $500 gift certificates.

    Each winner will choose one participating Shop Small Stafford business to redeem their prize. As a participating business, you must be willing and able to issue a gift certificate in the prize amount selected by the winner. The Stafford Economic Development Authority will reimburse the business for the full value of the gift certificate in accordance with the program guidelines.

    If your business is unable to issue a gift certificate, your business will not be eligible as a prize redemption location, and winners will be directed to select another participating business.

    Business owners and employees of participating Shop Small Stafford businesses are not eligible to win prizes. Employees of the Stafford County Economic Development & Tourism Department and members of their households are also not eligible to win prizes.

  • Privacy Acknowledgement

    By submitting this application, you acknowledge that the Stafford County Economic Development Authority and the Stafford County Economic Development & Tourism Department will collect and use the information you provide for the administration of the Shop Small Stafford program, participant communications, and future Economic Development & Tourism programs and events.

    You understand that your information will not be sold or shared with third parties without your consent, except as required by law. Your information will be stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws and regulations.

  • Communications Agreement

    By participating in the Stafford County Shop Small Stafford Program, you agree to receive communications related to this program, as well as future events and initiatives from the Stafford County Economic Development Authority and the Stafford County Economic Development & Tourism Department. You may opt out of these communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link provided in our emails.

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