Greater Mankato Growth using Facebook to support small businesses

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) -

Nearly a third of the Mankato Population are members of the Greater Mankato - Support Local Businesses Page.

It was originally meant for local restaurants to reach out to the community during COVID.

Greater Mankato Growth’s Andy Wilke says it’s now serving a dual purpose, “Not just to celebrate businesses, but then also for community members to go out there and maybe becoming aware of a business that they didn’t even know existed.”

Businesses like Mankato Vintage Market use it as a tool to keep their passions alive.

Owner of the Vintage Market, Kelly Rosenberg, said, “There’s a lot of people in that group that don’t follow me on social media. So, I can reach out to them, or it shows up on their algorithm.”

Mankato Vintage Market has been open for almost ten years. The longer they stay around, along with other local businesses, the community continues to thrive.

“When you shop local, your money stays local um and it doesn’t just give money to Amazon, they don’t need your money, we do!” Rosenberg exclaimed.

Rosenberg says that if towns didn’t have unique businesses, there would be no reason to visit.

“If we didn’t have our small businesses, every town would be the same. With the same big box stores and no charm, you know? Like small businesses are what bring people to town,” she said.

The Mankato Vintage Market features locally crafted items which she says embodies the spirit of a unified community

“We also buy from each other and support each other,” she says.

But they can’t do that without your support.

Rosenberg said, “I just encourage everybody to shop the small shops as much as they can.”

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