In Valley Junction, crowds on Friday packed parking lots. Shoppers streamed in and out of storefronts, and small businesses squeezed every last sale out of the day before a major winter storm moved in. The weather Saturday could have a big impact on their bottom line.Small Business Saturday is one of the most important shopping days of the year for local stores. But with up to a foot of snow expected in parts of Central Iowa, shop owners in West Des Moines worry the storm could wipe out the crowds they count on to carry them through the slower winter months.Inside MoMere, owner Meredith Wells says foot traffic on Friday started strong and never slowed down.“In the 12 years we’ve been in Valley Junction, this has probably been our busiest Plaid Friday or Black Friday, whatever you want to call it, that we’ve seen ever down here.”It is exactly the kind of momentum businesses hope for heading into the holiday weekend. But Wells says a hit on Saturday would ripple well beyond just one day.“It gets us through January, February when the months are a little bit slower,” she said. “So the fact that, you know, we could have substantial hit to our sales, really affects everything that we do as far as the rest of the season and how that plays out.”Just down the block, long-time shop owner King Au is staying upbeat as he watches the forecast.“We will be open unless, I don’t know, there’s 20 inches of snow maybe?” he said, laughing. “You never know! You’ll see me in my hat, shoveling snow!”He’s encouraged by how many people showed up on Friday.“That whole parking lot is full. People are out shopping there in good spirit. Of course, you got to walk off that big meal last night, right?” he said, laughing again.Both owners say they’ll keep checking the forecast. “I’m checking my app like every 10 minutes,” Wells said.And while they hope the snow holds off long enough to welcome customers, they also want people to stay safe.“Safety is the most important thing. You know, it is our business and this is our livelihood. But we are concerned about the livelihood of our community as well, too.”If the storm shuts down Small Business Saturday shopping in person, Wells says customers can still support them online. But across Valley Junction, the message is the same: snow or no snow, small businesses are determined to serve the community any way they can.
In Valley Junction, crowds on Friday packed parking lots. Shoppers streamed in and out of storefronts, and small businesses squeezed every last sale out of the day before a major winter storm moved in. The weather Saturday could have a big impact on their bottom line.
Small Business Saturday is one of the most important shopping days of the year for local stores. But with up to a foot of snow expected in parts of Central Iowa, shop owners in West Des Moines worry the storm could wipe out the crowds they count on to carry them through the slower winter months.
Inside MoMere, owner Meredith Wells says foot traffic on Friday started strong and never slowed down.
“In the 12 years we’ve been in Valley Junction, this has probably been our busiest Plaid Friday or Black Friday, whatever you want to call it, that we’ve seen ever down here.”
It is exactly the kind of momentum businesses hope for heading into the holiday weekend. But Wells says a hit on Saturday would ripple well beyond just one day.
“It gets us through January, February when the months are a little bit slower,” she said. “So the fact that, you know, we could have substantial hit to our sales, really affects everything that we do as far as the rest of the season and how that plays out.”
Just down the block, long-time shop owner King Au is staying upbeat as he watches the forecast.
“We will be open unless, I don’t know, there’s 20 inches of snow maybe?” he said, laughing. “You never know! You’ll see me in my hat, shoveling snow!”
He’s encouraged by how many people showed up on Friday.
“That whole parking lot is full. People are out shopping there in good spirit. Of course, you got to walk off that big meal last night, right?” he said, laughing again.
Both owners say they’ll keep checking the forecast. “I’m checking my app like every 10 minutes,” Wells said.
And while they hope the snow holds off long enough to welcome customers, they also want people to stay safe.
“Safety is the most important thing. You know, it is our business and this is our livelihood. But we are concerned about the livelihood of our community as well, too.”
If the storm shuts down Small Business Saturday shopping in person, Wells says customers can still support them online. But across Valley Junction, the message is the same: snow or no snow, small businesses are determined to serve the community any way they can.
