Downtown Boise sees shoppers come out for Small Business Saturday

“We represent over 200 different artists and craftsman from all around the country, everything is handmade, so that makes it really unique”, Judy said.

Downtown officials said it was the first year for small businesses in Sylvester to participate in Small Business Saturday.

“People who shop the big stores come out and say, ‘You know what?”

This annual tradition, started in 2010, provides Grand Valley shoppers a chance to support the local economy by shopping at the over 100 downtown local businesses. But, Bella Rose Boutique in Gulfport opened on Thanksgiving night.

Strain says, “It’s fun to go into the smaller stores and find a little bit of a discount like the big chains can do all the time”.

“It’s an opportunity to patronize the local folk who live in your community, who live in Baltimore, who invest in your neighborhood and we need more of that”, said Maryland State Senator Catherine Pugh.

The Freemans hope this year even more shoppers will head out Saturday and support the local businesses.

Small Business Saturday celebrates small businesses across the nation and encourages people to “shop small” on what is traditionally the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

“Hopefully once they come down here and see what we have to offer then they’ll keep it going and they’ll continue to come down here and shop”, said Jackson. Past year alone on this day, consumers spent over $14 billion at local businesses nationwide.

“I love living in a town where you feel like you’re part of a big community”.

And it should serve as a reminder, to not neglect local stores. “You can peruse the items, it’s unique”, said Patrick. “So whenever Loudouners head out or go online to do their holiday shopping, buying local is always the right choice”, Howard said in a statement.