Small Business Saturday Up Next

Just a short walk away is Wolfe’s Wine Shop. Mike Deiniger, owner of MiCA 12/V in Over the Rhine, hopes Small Business Saturday brings in new customers.

While these small businesses have to compete with the big box stores, they said sales typically increase on Small Business Saturday.

“Find some unique things you are not going to necessarily find in the shopping mall”, Clark said.

As shoppers continue to look for that ideal gift, Small Business Saturday may be in itself a Christmas gift for small shop owners and local merchants. It’s just one of many Coral Gables shops proudly displaying “Shop Small” stickers on their front doors. This was the first time for some business owners. I’m not sure that most people understand that.

“People don’t realize when they come in and buy something from you, they’re technically putting food on your table”, said Jerika Broussard who owns Prima Donna Vintage Boutique.

And customers aren’t just customers. Especially in smaller communities where they help makeup the atmosphere of downtown and build an economic engine.

“It’s been really busy”.

“I love seeing these shops here”, said Brozek.

For Bill Yeater, he said it was a day for people to invest back into their the Sylvester community.

“It puts more money into the community and it tries to build up the downtown”. An estimated $14.3 billion was spent at small independent businesses on Small Business Saturday.

“So, I think I was kind of meant to [own a business] at some point”, she continued. “But really when you go into the small businesses they have better deals and better quality products”.

This year shoppers were able to share photos, tweets and more on social media using the hashtag shop small.