Small Business Saturday in Downtown Aiken

Sometimes “Black Friday” can over shadow smaller local shops, but “Small Business Saturday” allows those stores shine.

While Small Business Saturday – a national campaign – is created to raise awareness and support for small businesses, Beckett said one thing is important to remember when shopping local.

Local businesses offered great deals for Staten Island shoppers looking to buy gifts during the holiday season on Small Business Saturday. “Many times, customer service can be better at a local business as the business gets to know you, and you, them”, says Steve Wilson, CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce.

“When you shop local, 70 cents on every dollar stays home”, said Fish.

Small Business Saturday draws thousands of people to “mom and pop” stores each year. “It really helps us as a business give you guys what you want and without y’all, we would not be where we are now”, said Ronanesk.

While most of the hype following Thanksgiving centers around Black Friday, another tradition is beginning to take off.

A consumer is the key for a thriving local business.

Shoppers who were out and about said they support the idea of shopping small. “We’re kind of losing the downtown, the neighborhood feel so I think it’s important to do this, just to bring people back down to downtown area and local small businesses all around town”.

“We get a big turn out as well as big sales turnout.” says Becky Gourley, Five Pound Apparel General manager.

“It’s just an opportunity to piggyback on Small Business Saturday and try to remind people of the true meaning of the holidays”, Jacobsen said.

“It’s what keeps people like us in business and fighting the upheld battle against big box retailers”.

Several downtown shops- as well as others at Rushmore Mall and Rushmore Crossing- donned signs on their storefronts indicating their participation in the event.

Which makes the mission of this small business – shop to change the world.

“It’s vital to the whole community because if you start losing your main streets … there’s safety issues, abandoned buildings”, Power said.

Giacolone-Stoffers explained it’s important to support and buy from local businesses “because small businesses are the backbone of our society and it’s personal”.