After a busy Black Friday shopping day, small business owners are hopeful people will shop local on Small Business Saturday, a campaign launched by American Express in 2010. Local business owners are hopeful the day will remind the public of their presence in the community and that they will see a boost in sales numbers that day.
Owner of Rahab’s Rope in downtown Gainesville, David Moore, said the scope of Small Business Saturday is really bigger than just one shopping day.
“People don’t realize how big a difference shopping local makes in the sustainability of an area. It’s huge. It helps restaurants, salons, everyone. We are all working together for a complete community," Moore said.
His own store is expecting an increase of customers on Saturday and they are already promoting sales.
“We hope that when customers come in for the sales, it will remind them we are here, not just for the day, but for all of December and beyond," said Moore.
Around the corner at Thrasherville Skate Shop, owner Dale Struble agreed.
“When you shop local, you don’t realize what you do supports the community as a whole. As a business owner, unlike the chain stores, I am involved in my local community," Struble said.
Struble added that even beyond that, there are advantages to shopping small.
“The internet kills small businesses, but this is where you can touch and feel the product," Struble said. "Big stores aren’t owned by people who really love what they do.”
Robyn Lynch is the Director of Tourism for the City of Gainesville, which has been promoting Small Business Saturday. She is hopeful the community will get behind the day and support their local business owners.
“We definitely want to support these local businesses because they are so important to the economy and the vitality of our downtown. Also, these are the businesses that support local teams and schools and non-profits. Remember that shopping local multiplies throughout the community. Spending your money locally means it stays locally," Lynch said.
In an effort to show support, the city's tourism department is offering coupon cards for $5 that will offer discounts for downtown Gainesville businesses. The cards, good through December 31, will be available Saturday on the square.
“Black Friday is always the day people are out at the chain stores. I think the next day people will be ready to shop local and eat at a local restaurant and enjoy being here,” said Lynch. “We are so lucky to be here in this great small community where you can have lunch or enjoy some coffee and then go next door and buy something local as a gift.”
