Downtown businesses cash in on shopping frenzy on Small Business Saturday

MARION - While shoppers landed deals on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, downtown businesses cashed in on this weekend's shopping frenzy with special sales and extended hours during Small Business Saturday.

Shoppers seemed relax as they browsed deals at area stores on Saturday afternoon. For some it's an annual tradition; for others it was their first year participating in the national event.

"This is my first time doing it in Marion," said Kim Creasap of North Carolina, who was in town visiting family. "I tend to shop local and found out about Small Business Saturday when I was living in Pittsburgh a few years ago. Since it follows Black Friday, there are usually deals."

Downtown business Southern Accents Boutique, located off of West Center Street, offered a buy one item get the other half off deal to Saturday afternoon shoppers.

Brenda Gilliam, who co-owns the boutique with her sister Nadine Slone, started the business downtown in 2001 and has noticed a steady increase in foot-traffic over the years.

"I think people are realizing that you don't have to drive to Columbus to buy nice things," Gilliam said Saturday. "We had 40 people come in today; that is a pretty busy day for us."

Connie Ring, who works at the boutique every other Saturday, said this is one of their better years; turnout for Small Business Saturday can be hit or miss.

The American Express-sponsored event is in its eighth year and has been growing in popularity. Approximately 61 percent of U.S. consumers are aware of Small Business Saturday.

Last year, some 112 million customers reported shopping at independently owned businesses, according to AMEX — up from 95 million the previous year, spending more than $15 billion on the day.

Jody Lackey, who owns The Candy Shack Cafe, said American Express has been trying to make the event more publicized.

"I received signs and other promotional material," she said. "Just like any other big shopping event around the holiday, it gets the ball rolling for Christmas shopping."

Holiday spending in Ohio is expected to grow 2 percent this year compared to 2016, bringing in an estimated $24.1 billion statewide.

An estimated 164 million people said that they planned to shop over the weekend for post-Thanksgiving sales, according to an annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Consumers say they willspend an average $967.13 this year, according to another annual survey.

Marion resident Judy Strayert stopped by leather retailer Willy + Wade Supply Co off of South Main Street on Saturday afternoon to visit her daughter Mikaela, who works there part-time.

"I try to come out every year," she said. "It is a good way to put money back into the community."

The store's owner, Brett Jolliff, said it was his second year participating in Small Business Saturday, offering shoppers incentives to come out.

"We have a raffle to win a pair of Beats Headphones; every $20 a customer spends they get a ticket," he said. "I never know what to expect, it usually falls on game day, but the turnout has been insane these past two years."

Jolliff said that he extends his business' hours every Small Business Saturday because people usually stop in after the Ohio State-Michigan football game.

"It really opens peoples' eyes to small businesses, especially during a time when many of us feel overshadowed by Black Friday," he said.

HKarim@nncogannett.com

740-375-5154

Tweet me @Hasan_Marion

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