Local businesses benefit community
Published 2:43 pm Friday, November 23, 2018
With Black Friday the day before, and the Iron Bowl that afternoon, many people overlook Small Business Saturday, a day designed to promote and celebrate local businesses and encourage locals to “shop small.”
According to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheryl Smedley, the day is extremely important for small towns. Smedley noted that for every $1 spent locally, 67 cents remain in the community. Of that 67 cents, more than half goes toward paying employees and the rest is spent investing in other local businesses.
“The purpose of the day is to show much small business impacts our local economy,” Smedley said. “It’s very important to shop your local community first.”
Smedley noted that the tax revenue generated from small business funds a number of local projects, including infrastructure, public safety and education.
“When you shop local first, you’re giving back to your community,” Smedley said. “Not only during the holiday season, but 365 days of the year.”
Among the local businesses that will be offering specials this weekend will be Pringles Petals on Broad Street, which will open at 9 a.m.
According to co-owner Bobby Boddie, who admittedly plays second fiddle to his wife Tonya, the store will be offering a wide variety of specials, giveaways and half-priced kids clothing, as well as free monogramming on purses and other gift items.
“We get a rush during the first part of the day,” Boddie said. “The game is on, so people get out to do their shopping early.”
“It’s a win-win situation,” Boddie said of shopping locally. “It brings money into our community and it helps create jobs.”
Also recognizing the small shop celebration will be Cater Drug Company, which will be selling most items in their gift section for 25 percent off and offering free gift wrapping.
“We’ve always pushed to buy local because the money you spend stays in the community,” said owner and Pharmacist Tim Williamson. “The holiday season is even more important. We turn around and give a lot of money back to the community and I know a lot of these businesses that aren’t local don’t do that.”
Gallery 905, an affiliate of the non-profit Arts Revive, will also be offering special deals on Saturday, including 20 percent of off the gallery’s entire inventory, from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
According to employee Devon Gray, the store saw a boom of business on Friday and expects much the same on Saturday.
“Shopping here is so important,” Gray said. “Shopping with us helps us with our mission of revitalizing downtown.”