:: american express :: 

Good evening.

If you don't mind, I wanted to share a story with you about my friend, Andy... 

I met Andy on an off chance a couple of years ago. I went into this relatively new wine shop for some wine, and ended up having a conversation which lasted several hours... and in that conversation, I learned new things about wine... about new and different winemakers in Napa Valley and around the world... and I was treated like member of family. 

I asked questions... and Andy answered them, teaching me along the way about a shared passion...

Since then, I've been back to Andy's place -- the WINE HARVEST -- for more wine. For gifts for friends. For lunch with colleagues and more.

Just this Saturday, I was at his first location - in Kentlands - and it was like being in a friend's living room. It was relaxed, and causal... a neighborhood gathering place for friends drawn to the magic that comes with great glass of Pino Noir... or Merlot. 

Andy's passion for wine - and his passion for his business - is, to me what SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY is all about. Sure, he's providing jobs for people in our community and yes, he's contributing tax dollars to our community, but for me the real reason I shop small... is because of people like Andy... and those conversations you can only have while sampling some wine in a place like his business. It's because in small businesses, you get more than personal care... 

... you create personal lasting relationships. Just like my grandparents did when they owned their small business... 

And just like Andy does at Wine Harvest. 

This Saturday, I'm shopping small because of people like Andy at Wine Harvest... and I'd encourage you to do the same.

Thanks for reading... and happy Thanksgiving... 

-t.