March 29 is National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day — a day to honor the independent owners who power our local economy.
36.2 million small businesses. 46% of the American workforce. And 68 cents of every dollar keeping Kirksville thriving.
Every year on March 29, communities across the country celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, a day dedicated to honoring the small, family‑owned and independently owned businesses that keep our main streets vibrant. In award winning downtown Kirksville, these are the storefronts where you’re greeted by name, the restaurants that remember your usual, and the shops that show up for school fundraisers, local events, and neighbors in need.
The holiday was created by Rick and Margie Segel to honor their parents, who opened a small hat shop in 1939 that eventually grew into a successful clothing store. Their story is familiar to many in Kirksville: a family with a dream, a set of keys to a downtown space, and a commitment to serving their community well. Today, this day stands as a tribute to business owners just like them
Why mom and pop businesses matter in Kirksville and Missouri
In Missouri, small businesses are not a niche—they are the backbone of our economy, and downtown Kirksville reflects that reality on every block. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2025 state profile, Missouri is home to about 590,131 small businesses, representing 99.4% of all businesses in the state. These firms employ roughly 1.1 million Missourians, or 44.4% of the state’s workforce, meaning nearly half of all workers in Missouri get their paycheck from a small employer.
Small businesses also drive growth and resilience. Between March 2023 and March 2024, Missouri saw a net increase of 2,024 business establishments, with small firms responsible for most of the new openings. In that same period, opening and expanding establishments created a net gain of 13,708 jobs statewide, and small businesses alone accounted for a net increase of 19,137 jobs—showing just how important they are for employment in communities like Kirksville. Women own about 44.5% of Missouri businesses, and veterans own about 6.9%, reflecting the diversity of owners behind our downtown storefronts.
How to celebrate in downtown Kirksville
National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day is the perfect moment to intentionally support the local businesses that support Kirksville all year long. A few easy ways to celebrate on March 29—and beyond—include:
- Make it a local lunch or dinner: Choose a family‑run restaurant or bar downtown, and invite friends, coworkers, or classmates to join you.
- Share your favorites: Post about your go‑to Kirksville businesses on social media, tag them, and leave positive reviews so more people can discover them.
- Say thank you: Take a moment to thank the owners and staff you see behind the counter; for many, this is both their livelihood and their passion.
Every purchase made in downtown Kirksville helps pay local wages, keeps historic spaces active, and allows business owners to reinvest in buildings, equipment, and community events. For mom and pop businesses, these everyday choices can be the difference between just getting by and truly thriving.
Looking ahead for downtown Kirksville
As we celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, we are really celebrating the people who unlock their doors before sunrise, stay late after closing, and keep showing up for Kirksville no matter what. In a state where small businesses make up nearly all employers and support almost half of the workforce, backing the entrepreneurs on our own downtown blocks is one of the most impactful ways we can invest in our community’s future.
This March 29, choose that independent coffee shop, local retailer, salon, or service provider in downtown Kirksville—and let them know how much they matter. When we support mom and pop businesses here at home, we’re strengthening our local economy, preserving the character of our historic downtown, and ensuring Kirksville remains a welcoming, vibrant place to live, work, study, and visit.#ShopLocal #MomAndPop #SmallBusiness #mainstreetkirksville #kirksville