Small Business Saturday draws people downtown

Standing in line at Sound Advice on the Mt. Pleasant square, Pam Ibbitson said she and her husband Gary hoped to cash in on some of the good deals offered for the coming Christmas holiday.

Since leaving their home that morning, the couple had purchased a chair, some artwork and now were considering a new cellphone. Ibbitson said that it had worked out they needed to get shopping done during the weekend event that has become known as Small Business Saturday nationwide.

'It's a beautiful day and we knew this was going on,” she said. 'We are kind of winging it today.”

According to new tradition, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is the day people shun big-box stores in favor of area mom-and-pop stores for their sales. Throughout downtown Mt. Pleasant signs were displayed in windows reminding people of the importance of shopping locally.

At Becker's Jewelers a table was set up on the side of the store offering prizes for people who purchased certain items. Manager Karl Schaefer said business had been very steady since the previous day, Black Friday, and he is expecting it to continue through the weekend. He commented with a smile that Black Friday had begun the previous Monday at the store.

'It's the big kickoff to the Christmas season and we do quite a bit of business,” he said of the annual events. 'People seem to wait a little bit and then come in on Black Friday to see if they can get in on the giveaway.”

He said Pandora charm bracelets remain popular this year, as do sterling silver items and rose metals. Reflecting on customers who have been in the store, he believes the sales have brought people downtown. Previously, he recalled, the store had few customers on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, with many people being out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Megan Denning, owner of Le Chic Boutique, also reported steady customers through the store. She said the store tries to run several sales during the weekend. Hot items this year include scarves, designer jeans, cardigans and shoes.

'Its important for people to realize they should go out and support their small businesses,” she said. 'It's about awareness of supporting business even if it is not on that day.”

Likewise, at Lillian Grace Boutique manager Barbara Leydens said the retailers there love the holiday because it is the one day per year dedicated to small businesses. She also commented the business had opened its doors for the first time on Small Business Saturday three years ago.

'We have the support of the people who come in,” she said. 'We have wonderful, loyal customers and to see them show up today is wonderful.”

She believes the customers set aside the day to support small businesses in Mt. Pleasant. Leyden said she has heard encouragement from customers all week long.