Local business owners talk about Shop Small Saturday and the benefits of purchasing locally.
By Laura Marie
Rather than just shopping the sales this year and doorbusting on Black Friday, consider celebrating a tradition that has been going strong for years but gets more exciting every year. Shop Small Saturday, on the day after Black Friday, focuses on the smaller shops around your town rather than the bigger national chain stores.
Shopping small has its benefits in a variety of ways, but one of the biggest ones is that more of the money stays in your local community: rather than supporting a national or international corporation, dollars you spend in small businesses are more likely to be circulated to other businesses in your community, magnifying the impact of your purchase on the local economy.
Lisa Weaver owns and operates Secretly Shabby, a bright, cheery home decor and gift store on Main Street. She, like many small business owners in Hamilton, experiences increased traffic during the holidays.
“People discover their town on Shop Small Saturday,” says Weaver. “It’s more personable and you meet more locals while shopping at small businesses.”
Weaver’s shop always contains a variety of giftware like candles, jewelry, and shirts, as well as gourmet spice mixes, jams, jellies, and ciders. During the holidays, she has samplers of gourmet items that make great thank-you and hostess gifts. On Shop Small Saturday, she’ll have specials and the Christmas items will be available.
Across Main Street is Unsung Salvage Design Company. They create custom furniture, sell unique vintage items, and make original and custom t-shirts. They do a lot for Shop Small Saturday.
“We make it the kick-off for the shopping season for Christmas,” says Mary Carder, at Unsung Salvage. “We launch our Christmas t-shirts and debut our Christmas decor.”
Carder points out that you can, of course, get basics at a major retailer, but for the gifts that are particularly unique and memorable, shopping small is a smart way to go.
“The things people love mean something to them; we have a lot of Hamilton-based products and people love showing pride in their city,” says Carder. “With us, everything is handmade and so it is unique and you won’t find it anywhere else. You are able to give a present that is customized to the particular person.”
Unsung Salvage offers raffles and giveaways, as well as discounts on select items, for the Shop Small Saturday shopper.
Throughout the city, small business retailers count on your patronage to have a successful holiday season. Show your support by shopping local at the following events:
Shop Small Saturday – November 30th
Most shops have holiday-themed items, discounts, raffles, or snacks available as the holiday shopping season opens up wide.
Shop throughout Main Street and High Street, as well as many others in our neighborhoods. Look at Hamilton-Ohio.com for an updated list of retail shops registered through the Chamber of Commerce.
Music on Main – November 22nd
With music in every store and treats to try in many locations, the shops along Main Street will keep you singing as you peruse their options. Get your holiday decorating items ahead of Thanksgiving and be ready for the season to begin.
Participating shops are between Eaton Avenue and B Street along Main Street.
Alive After 5: Toyland – December 6th
Hamilton’s monthly shop hop features music, games, and crafts along High Street and surrounding downtown areas. Visit the local stores and pick out gifts for your loved ones while enjoying the themed outfits and decorations.
Participating shops vary each month; visit HamiltonAliveAfter5.com to learn more.