Supporting small businesses benefits the local economy
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LEWISTOWN -- Thanksgiving leftovers are stashed in the fridge and extended family members are packed up and headed home, which means holiday shopping can commence full throttle this weekend with Small Business Saturday.
Across the country, small businesses are hosting events and offering up holiday savings to get community members to stay local compared to lining up outside big box stores, and the Juniata Valley is no exception.
Rhonda Kelley, executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce, stressed when local consumers shop locally, they're not only supporting the individual or family behind the store, but they're also supporting the community as a whole.
"Small businesses are the backbone of our community," Kelley said. "They set us apart from other communities and make us unique. They are our neighbors and friends.
"Most of the money spent at our local small businesses stays in our communities adding to our local economy," she added. "They are the ones who support our local sports teams and give back to their communities."
Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative created and promoted by American Express in 2010 to encourage holiday shopping on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, during one of the busiest shopping times of the year.
Small Business Saturday is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local.
Which is just fine for Greg Watkins, owner of Mac's Clothing in Mifflintown.
"We have Black Friday and Small Business Saturday specials through the weekend," Watkins said.
It's also an important day for small business owners, as they get their moment in the retail spotlight. "We're the backbone that built this country."
At D&E Toys and Collectibles in Lewistown, Daniel Kochenderfer hopes Small Business Saturday translates into more sales for video games and Pokémon merchandise.
"We also have gift certificates available," explained Kochenderfer, acknowledging the importance of getting local shoppers into the store. "I believe so."
At the Lemon and Lime Craft Co., owner Deb Guard is ready to welcome customers into her store's new location in downtown Lewistown with discounts on a variety of products, such as gingerbread houses, candles and doormats. She'll also hold a raffle for a gift basket.
"So, we have plenty going on," Guard said. "This is an opportunity to get our business out there, and hopefully people will shop locally."
The Moon Dragon in Lewistown opened in February and is hoping for a busy first Small Business Saturday.
At Kern Run Crafts in Beavertown, owner Doreen Wagner uses Small Business Saturday as an opportunity to thank the community for its support.
"We usually are pretty busy," Wagner said. "We have a lot of faithful customers who show their appreciation to us, so we run a lot of specials to show our appreciation to them."
Wagner said this year's clay-faced Santa Claus figures have been her store's "hot item," along with snowmen.
At Two Brothers Bicycle Co. in Burnham, owners Nick and Chris Johnston certainly realize the importance of shopping locally as the two appeared in a marketing campaign for Small Business Saturday organized by the chamber which featured local businesses.
"Between Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, we definitely expect a good turnout," said Nick Johnston. "We're running sales and promotions."
Like other owners, the Johnstons understand how important it is to try and keep consumers spending locally.
"Businesses can then give back," Nick Johnston added. "I expect more tomorrow (Saturday) where (Small Business Saturday) we're on-par with Black Friday. People are definitely out doing their holiday shopping."
That's good news for small businesses.