AIKEN, SC. (WRDW/WAGT) – As Black Friday comes to an end, local businesses in Aiken are preparing for Small Business Saturday, encouraging consumers to shop small during the holiday season.
Local businesses ranging from western outfitters to toy stores and boutiques are ready for customers to visit their stores.
“The holiday season in retail is always the busiest time of the year, and this is kind of the kickoff for that,” said Joel Reeves, spouse of the owner of Tumbleweed Western Outfitters.
Business owners say there’s more at stake than just finding the perfect gift when customers start their holiday shopping.
“We’re able to build some rapport and a connection on a personal level. If you go to a bigger corporation-owned store, you’re probably not going to meet the owners while you’re in there. So you can put a face and a name with the store itself,” Reeves said.
Personal connections drive local shopping
Nikita Hanif, manager at Beyond Bijou, said shopping small means supporting community members.
“When you shop small, you’re shopping with the people that play soccer with your kids or next to you at the grocery store,” Hanif said.
Catherine Gouge, manager at Pitter Patter and Carolines, said the personal relationships built over time help provide better customer service.
“We have so many people who have shopped with us for so long that when they come in, I know their grandchildren’s age, their size, what they’ve been into. What they already have, so I know they’re not duplicating things, so I think that’s so important,” Gouge said.
Unique products compete with big-box stores
Even while competing with big-box stores, local business owners say their resources may be limited, but their products are one-of-a-kind.
“You are getting unique products. You’re not going to get products that you can find in big corporate stores. They’re going to be quality. They’re going to be hand-selected. So it really is just a much better, different shopping experience,” Hanif said.
Whether businesses have been open for three years, like Tumbleweed Western Outfitters, or 33 years like Pitter Patter and Carolines, owners say the connection, tradition, and community support matter most.
“Everyone looking out for everyone and everyone supporting everyone. Whether that’s a small business or a neighbor whose tree fell across their driveway and needs some help clearing it up. I think people supporting the people around them is important in whatever fashion that takes,” Reeves said.
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