Local businesses participate in Small Business Saturday
Nov 24, 2012 (Menafn - Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Right on the tail of Black Friday, as consumers shake off their turkey slumber to start their Christmas shopping, is Small Business Saturday.
American Express began the effort in 2010 and its website boasts that more than 100 million people came out to support independently owned businesses last year.
Today's event has several area retailers celebrating by bringing consumers extended hours, discounts, special events and the like, to encourage holiday shopping at small businesses.
Brad Eastman, owner of home specialty shop E.I. Home, 4453 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, said he was overwhelmed by the amount of people who came out for the event last year.
He said the occasion provides retailers with an opportunity to thank loyal customers in a time when it is hard to compete with big-box stores.
"I think that Small Business Saturday represents what America was," Eastman said. "I think it's the roots of America, the American dream, and I think that it's still very much alive, but we need the support of everybody to make it happen and make it work."
Elizabeth Kemp, owner of Sweethearts Bridal & Formalwear, 4239 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, stumbled on the event she is holding today.
Kemp said she had planned to hold an open house today before she realized it was Small Business Saturday. In the preparation for the event, she gathered area retailers and vendors information to offer to customers in the form of gift bags.
With several brides registered for appointments all day today and into the morning hours of Sunday, Kemp said she wishes she had had more time to prepare.
"The local businesses are really the lifeblood of the community," she said, emphasizing the importance of strong small businesses in creating a strong community.
Adrianne Blank, Boyertown's Main Street manager, said local business owners have been working together to promote patronage at small businesses this weekend.
In addition to promoting businesses on Small Business Saturday, the borough also is asking customers to shift their focus on Friday with its Shift your Shopping campaign.
Blank said there are many more benefits to shopping local, including jobs for neighbors and the support that local businesses give to community events.
The West Reading business community also has geared up for the holiday shopping period.
Juli Cleaver, owner of Bella Jules and a marketing and promotions team member with West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation, said familiarity with the event has grown among consumers.
Because of that and promotions by American Express, Cleaver said she thinks there will be an increase in participation among both businesses and shoppers this year.
She said her business had an increase in sales for the weekend in 2011 compared the same weekend in 2010.
In Kutztown, businesses such as Firefly and Adam 'N' Eve will be working to bring Small Business Saturday to their customers.
Amanda Keith Verrastro, the new director of Kutztown Community Partnership, said she hopes to organize a unified effort next year.
Contact Shannon Simcox: 610-371-5066 or ssimcox@readingeagle.com.
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