LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – For one Louisville neighborhood, Small Business Saturday is one of the biggest days of the year, and this year, it may be more consequential than in past years.
With lots of construction in the NuLu area in the past year, businesses haven’t seen as much foot traffic.
They say Small Business Saturday is usually a busy day for them, but they’re hoping it will be even more so this year.
“It’s an opportunity to let everybody know that’s maybe avoided the area that, ‘hey, we’re back. Everything’s finished and it looks beautiful down here,’” said Chris Roark, owner of The Dog Shop.
For many businesses on or near Market Street, recent sidewalk construction meant fewer parking opportunities and less foot traffic, making business less predictable.
“I definitely would say every business that has been down here has been impacted in some shape or way,” said Sarah Vojdyla, manager at Six Sisters Boutique.
“There was a lot of, like, inconsistencies on when they were doing the paving and the striping, and it just caused a little bit of confusion, I think,” said Roark. “And then, I think people just naturally knew it was going on, and they just, you know, you saw that kind of impact, on whether people decided to come down here and what days they would come down.”
Now, as they gear up for one of the biggest days of the year, business owners hope it’s a turning point for the area.
Amanda Dare, owner of Woman Owned Wallet, is even putting her own twist on it.
“We are doing ornament painting and friendship bracelet making,” said Dare. “I’m so very excited to just see the community come down because it’s one of those days where not only do I see some of our best customers of the year, but also some of my best friends get to come down and really contribute to their community in such a beautiful way.”
And, at other businesses, employees hope Small Business Saturday is a reminder of the importance of shopping local.
“Your money stays here locally whenever you shop here. You’re gonna find something that you’re not gonna find at a big box store,” said Vojdyla. “It’s really important, just because it is what makes NuLu special, is all these local owned businesses.”
NuLu and Louisville are not the only neighborhood and city going all out for Small Business Saturday. Norton Commons, South Louisville and Jeffersonville are among others offering deals.
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