Local Stores Cash In for Small Business Saturday

After Black Friday shopping at major retailers, Saturday was all about shopping small.

All over Jacksonville, small businesses are working to offer something different.

Froelich said she also enjoys downtown for its the friendly environment and the interaction between shop owners and customers.

Dayla Lemler of Lemler Valley Farm said, “We don’t just take out dollars that we make here and take them home, we spend them with each other”.

Springfield shoppers have another opportunity to score holiday shopping bargains and support the local economy at the same time. The enticement helped the idea to grow, with people spending an estimated $14.3 billion with small businesses during last year’s one-day event.

“When you buy local, that money, most of that money, stays within the community, and so you’re really helping your local economy”, said Vicki Bahr, co-owner of Kitsch in Norfolk.

“I save a lot of things from going to landfills, I fix a lot of things that come in”, says Miller. They’re right here. They’re us doing our own businesses.

Many customers said they don’t mind paying slightly more to support an independent business.

Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender proclaimed Saturday as Small Business Saturday to join the nationwide effort to steer shoppers toward locally owned businesses this holiday season.

Small Business Saturday isn’t the only day shoppers are encouraged to celebrate the local stores. “It really helps that they’re all aligned”, said Hannah Hickman, assistant manager.

Small businesses in communities all around the valley are hoping consumers will shop small.

“You’ll find unique things, things that I’ve picked out personally”.

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