Local shops participate in Small Business Saturday

“Small locally owned business will continue to be the foundation of which our progress is built”, says LaWana Mayfield, District 3 City Council Representative. But the Saturday after Thanksgiving, people are encouraged to give their business to local shops as a part of Small Business Saturday.

There are more than 500,000 small businesses that now operate across Maryland. “It makes you aware of where you spend your money, and I think it is important to spend it in your hometown”.

Tune Town Owner Carl Nordmeier said that the passport rally has brought many customers to his shop.

At Edie Boutique in Park Ridge, the owner said she appreciates the support of local shoppers.

“I like going into the little shops”. She says new businesses have to be patient when trying to build a rapport with customers, but she agrees that the personal touch and excellent customer service is why small businesses stand out. “It helps keep jobs here”. Teresa Pries buzzes through the crowd at Revival 23, matching her customers with the flawless accessories.

“On a typical Saturday, we’ve probably done about five times as much business”, said Kait Gilcher, co-owner of Heart Mercantile. Businesses and buyers told us why they enjoy participating in the event.

“People come in they talk about the roads and how poorly they are and this and that, and then they go and turn around and order things online and there’s no tax involved”, said Mahan. “We’ve been busy since we opened”, said Pries.

This year, Ocean Beach is marking its official place in the national Shop Small for small business Saturday.

For Johnson, any business is good business.

“Came today to get coffee, and kind of walking around downtown”, Michael Schleinz, a Wausau native, explained. Winter wraps, ponchos and Christmas ornaments have been moving.

Pam Sommer, the manager of Montana Book and Toy, saw the crowds as a side effect of Shop Small and the store’s commitment to curating the best items for customers.

The U.S. Small Business Administration said about $15.4 billion was spent at independent retailers on Small Business Saturday in 2016.

Small Business Saturday began in 2010 by American Express as a way to promote small businesses around the country.