LEWISTOWN — Now that you’ve digested that turkey and mapped out your Black Friday bargain shopping from big box retailers, it’s time to offer local stores your support on Small Business Saturday.

“When we think about the holiday season, our thoughts turn to those we love and care about,” Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rhonda Kelley said. “We look for ways to show them what they mean to us.

“The best way to show our local small businesses some love is to support them with our dollars,” Kelley added. “To me that is what Small Business Saturday is all about. Even though I am a proponent of shopping small all-year long, this is a day set aside to shine a light on our local small businesses and come out to show them our support.”

In 2010, American Express proclaimed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday to support independent businesses.

Last year, consumers spent an estimated $23.3 billion, up 18 percent from $19.8 billion in 2020 and an increase from pre-pandemic spending of $19.6 billion in 2019, according to Consumer Insights Survey.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” Kelley said. “They set us apart and make us unique.”

Recently, Kelley had the unique opportunity to introduce prospective transplants to the area. She said the one thing that impressed them the most was the wide variety of local businesses.

“We are fortunate enough to have amazing shop choices just outside the door such as wineries, breweries, distilleries, gift shops, local artisans, boutiques, jewelers, florists, outdoor supplies, health and beauty, restaurants and food options, and the list goes on.”

The Crooked Shelf Bookshop, located at 23 N. Main St., Lewistown, is one such example. One of the few independent bookstores around, owner Kelly Rivera offers new books, unique gifts and engaging events.

“We’re open extended hours on Saturday, so that helps make our bottom line a lot different,” said Rivera, whose store opened in 2019. “We’ve been bouncing back each (from the pandemic). It helps having stuff going on in the downtown.”

Rivera said the fact that shoppers can walk downtown safely when looking for holiday gifts only helps her business. “People can find parking spaces and make their rounds,” she explained.

Dustin Pollock, owner of DP’s Music Center, 10183 Route 522 South, Lewistown, said Small Business Saturday certainly helps smaller stores, but business usually picks up around the holidays.

“It’s hit or miss with Black Friday and the rest of the weekend honestly,” he said. “There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason when we get busy.”

Shoppers check out the latest and the greatest musical instruments Pollock has in stock. A new line of Tanglewood guitars just arrived, the perfect present for new and old guitarists alike, he said.

“They’re a really great price point,” he said.

The biggest question that Pollock gets these days is if his music store is still located at the west end of Lewistown. He also co-owns the E-Z Auto dealership, which recently moved to 101 S. Logan Blvd., Burnham. The music store remains across from Walmart.

Each year, KC’s Gifts, Jewelry and Awards, 13 E. Market St., Lewistown, holds an open house as a kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Owner Heather Knepp-Crader doesn’t believe her store benefits from Black Friday sales like the big box retailers.

“Honestly, I’m not always open Black Friday,” said Knepp-Crader, who has owned the business since 2016. “We have a holiday sale that kicks off. We are open in the morning ’til early afternoon. We have light refreshments and some chances to win door prizes.”

Her retail tactics change with the economy.

“Each year, we look at what we want to keep the same and what we want to change up,” she added.

Kelley encourages shoppers to stay local and support area businesses.

“You know that every dollar you spend is helping to fulfill someone’s dream with every purchase you make — they share a piece of that dream with you,” Kelley said. “You are supporting your neighbors who have put their heart, soul and, in many cases, their every dollar into something they truly believe in, improving the quality of life for us all.”