Small Business Saturday keeps shopping local

MOSES LAKE — With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, Christmas shopping is looming large. Everybody knows about Black Friday, when big retailers are deluged with early shoppers looking for deals. But the day after is Small Business Saturday, and that’s a time for supporting local entrepreneurs.

“I have noticed these last couple of years especially, after COVID, that everybody really wants to shop local,” said Mary Davenport, owner of Stella & Me in downtown Moses Lake. “So that's been really nice.”

Small Business Saturday was established in 2010 by the American Express company, and the next year was officially co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to the SBA’s website. As of 2022, sales nationwide on Small Business Saturday were estimated at $17.9 billion, the SBA wrote.

Locally, it’s an important boost to small business owners, and many have sales or special events that day to bring more bodies in the door. Stella & Me, which carries women’s clothing and men’s formal wear, is going to team up with Sue’s Gift Boutique both Friday and Saturday and make it a sip-and-shop, Davenport said.

“You can come in here and have a mimosa, or a spiked apple cider if you want a hot drink, and then we have specials throughout the store,” Davenport said.

“I think people are just excited to get the holiday going and (this is) a way to do it,” said Sue Torrence, owner of Sue’s Gift Boutique. “Enjoy all the people they haven't seen for a while and get the hustle and bustle.”

Beckie Lewis, owner of Beckie’s on First Ave. in Ephrata, said she usually gets a good turnout both Friday and Saturday.

“We're gonna do a sale for both days,” she said. “And then on Saturday for Small Business Saturday, we'll have Christmas cookies and cider.”

Beckie’s on First Ave. carries what she described as slightly used children’s clothing and toys, as well as new NFL gear.

Torrence said she’s expecting about three times the customers this weekend that she usually sees. As with any small business, it can be hard to predict because so many people come in, look around, then leave and come back later to buy.

“They have to check things out first,” she said. “I've had several people in already (saying), ‘No, I'm just looking for what I want to get on (Black Friday),’ because they know I'm gonna have a sale out. I've had my store over 30 years, so they know my routine a little bit.”

    Merri Westphall makes her selections, and ArtGarden Pottery owner Laura Mayer wraps them up, properly separated by a barrier, on Small Business Saturday in 2020.
  

Marty Utsunomiya, owner of Frederick’s Jewelers, said she expects to do a good business this weekend, but she also said what customers are looking for can be unpredictable.

“One year it's, you know, nothing but rings, and other times it's necklaces with diamonds in them and precious stones,” she said. “And (there’s) another factor: what the weather's like, whether people come down wanting to walk around and go into stores.”

The weather is expected to be favorable this year, she added.

Many customers would rather shop at a local business than a large retailer when they can, Lewis said.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were here,’” she said. “(And) parking is always an issue, I think.”

Part of the nature of small businesses is that they tend to collaborate on sale events, Davenport said. Online retailer Prissy Pants Bows N Such will have a popup at Stella & Me on Friday, and The Butter Stick, a home-based bakery, will be there Saturday.

“We really try to get other businesses, everybody downtown, to do something like this,” Davenport said. “Because it creates an atmosphere and a vibe down here that people want to bring their kids down, bring their families down and go to each store.”

“We just want everybody to have a good time,” Torrence said. “Because if we don't have a downtown, we don't have a town.”

Joel Martin may be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.