SPOKANE, Wash. — It is Small Business Saturday, a day reminding shoppers to hop offline and shop locally.
Whether it’s at the Garland District or downtown, many Spokane businesses worked hard Saturday to make their biggest sales of the year.
“Typically it is the biggest day of the year, lots of customers all day,” said The Candle Bar owner Holli Brown.
For Brown, this is the most important time of the year.
“The fall and winter months basically make our year,” she said.
Last year, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported a projected $17 billion spent on Small Business Saturday.
In the age of online shopping, going local might not always seem the most convenient but is personable.
“From bagging your merchandise to wrapping your glassware and just talking through the whole transaction with you,” explained Cruz Nicacio, the owner of The Garland Treasure Trove.
These weeks might be a time when many of us want to kick up our feet, but for many local businesses it is the time when they work their hardest. The increase in demand has led to some even having to extend their hours.
“I’m usually only open five days a week,” Nicacio said. “Beginning this weekend, I’m going to be open seven days a week all the way until Christmas Eve because I have to take advantage of this holiday season.”
For Entropy, a local record store downtown, this time period is when it sees an exponential shift in foot traffic and money coming in.
“With Black Friday being there, it is a nice boost,” said Entropy owner Garrett Bekemeyer.
For Bekemeyer, it is the uniqueness of local businesses that makes it so special.
“So many people put their life into places like small businesses because it’s so niche,” he said. “Records and music is my life and there’s so many other weird little stores that are people’s lives.”
These small businesses expressed gratitude for those who showed up for Small Business Saturday, but still want to encourage you to continue supporting them year-round.
“Just remember small businesses,” Brown said.
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