BURNING OF THE HURRICANE. FLAGS. >> THIS IS THE BIGGEST WEEKEND FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES HERE. >> IT’S NOT JUST MAJOR BUSINESSES WHERE YOU CAN GRAB SWEET DEALS FOR BLACK FRIDAY. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER EDWARD FRANCO’S IN CAPE CORAL TONIGHT WITH HOW YOU CAN GET YOUR HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESSES. >> THE TIME FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING HAS ARRIVED AS BLACK FRIDAY BRINGS PEOPLE WALKING INTO STORES. BUT IT’S THE DAY AFTER THAT BRINGS MORE SALES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES LIKE HERE IN DOWNTOWN CAPE CORAL AND FORT MYERS. >> WE DO A LITTLE SHOPPING TODAY. PICK UP A FEW THINGS. >> BIG BOX STORES ARE SEEING LONG LINES TODAY FOR BLACK FRIDAY. BUT IT’S THE LOCAL STORES ALONG OUR GULF COAST THAT ARE PREPARING FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY. THIS IS THE BIGGEST WEEKEND FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES HERE AT THE FRANKLIN SHOPS IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS WITH 90 STORES. SHOPPERS ARE ENJOYING THE WEEKEND. 20% OFF SALES WHILE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY. PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY AND >> AN EFFORT INTO THEIR INTO THEIR SHOPS. AND THAT’S WHAT’S GOING COME OUT AND SUPPORT THEM OVER IN CAPE CORAL AND MARINE BIRD IS THE OWNER OF WHITE COLLEGE IN COMPANY TELLS ME SHE SEES THE SATURDAY SHOPPING HOLIDAY BRING MORE VISIBILITY TO SMALL LOCAL STORES. I SEE THAT INCREASE IN SALES. NOT NECESSARILY ON BLACK FRIDAY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE THE BIG BOX STORES. BUT THEY DO COME OUT. >> THE WEEKEND, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. >> ABSOLUTELY. IT DOES INCREASED TRAFFIC WITH SALES FROM 10, 15 20% OFF. LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE REMINDING SHOPPERS TO BE AWARE OF FAKE DEALS. LOCK YOUR CAR WHEN IN THE STORE AND AVOID CARRYING A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH WITH SOME CUSTOMERS TELLING ME THAT THEY’RE HAPPY TO SHOP AND SUPPORT. IT’S GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY BEING DOWN HERE. THERE’S A GREAT SELECTION OF SMALL BUSINESSES RATHER THAN GOING THE NORMAL CHAIN STORES. SMALL BUSINESSES HERE TELL ME THAT SOME OF THEIR SALES WILL CONTINUE ON TO SUNDAY
Shops prepare for Small Business Saturday in Cape Coral, Fort Myers
Updated: 7:25 PM EST Nov 28, 2025
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As Black Friday brings shoppers to big box stores, local businesses in Cape Coral and Fort Myers are preparing for increased sales on Small Business Saturday.Joe Stumpf from Saint Louis, Missouri, said, “We did a little shopping today. Picked up a few things.”With Black Friday deals attracting long lines at major retailers, local stores on the Gulf Coast are preparing for the influx of shoppers on Small Business Saturday. Haley Hanson from The Franklin Shops in Fort Myers emphasized the importance of the weekend, saying, “This is the biggest weekend for our small businesses here.”At The Franklin Shops in downtown Fort Myers, with 90 stores, shoppers are enjoying 20% off sales while supporting the community. Stumpf added, “People put a lot of money and effort into their shops. And that’s why it’s good to come down and support them.”In Cape Coral, Ann Marie Budris, owner of White Cottage & Company, noted the increased visibility for small local stores during the shopping holiday. “I see the increase in sales, not necessarily on Black Friday because people go to the big box stores, but they do come out, the weekend, Small Business Saturday and Sunday. Absolutely. It does increase our traffic,” she said.With discounts ranging from 10% to 20% at many small businesses, Lee County deputies are advising shoppers to be cautious of fake deals, lock their cars while shopping, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Some customers expressed their enthusiasm for supporting local businesses.Kaitlin Stumpf, an FGCU student, said, “It’s great for the community, especially being down here. There’s a great selection of small businesses rather than going to the normal chain stores.”Small businesses in the area indicated that some sales will continue into Sunday.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
As Black Friday brings shoppers to big box stores, local businesses in Cape Coral and Fort Myers are preparing for increased sales on Small Business Saturday.
Joe Stumpf from Saint Louis, Missouri, said, “We did a little shopping today. Picked up a few things.”
With Black Friday deals attracting long lines at major retailers, local stores on the Gulf Coast are preparing for the influx of shoppers on Small Business Saturday.
Haley Hanson from The Franklin Shops in Fort Myers emphasized the importance of the weekend, saying, “This is the biggest weekend for our small businesses here.”
At The Franklin Shops in downtown Fort Myers, with 90 stores, shoppers are enjoying 20% off sales while supporting the community. Stumpf added, “People put a lot of money and effort into their shops. And that’s why it’s good to come down and support them.”
In Cape Coral, Ann Marie Budris, owner of White Cottage & Company, noted the increased visibility for small local stores during the shopping holiday. “I see the increase in sales, not necessarily on Black Friday because people go to the big box stores, but they do come out, the weekend, Small Business Saturday and Sunday. Absolutely. It does increase our traffic,” she said.
With discounts ranging from 10% to 20% at many small businesses, Lee County deputies are advising shoppers to be cautious of fake deals, lock their cars while shopping, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Some customers expressed their enthusiasm for supporting local businesses.
Kaitlin Stumpf, an FGCU student, said, “It’s great for the community, especially being down here. There’s a great selection of small businesses rather than going to the normal chain stores.”
Small businesses in the area indicated that some sales will continue into Sunday.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
