‘One of the biggest days of the year’ | Small Business Saturday increases support for Central Georgia businesses

MACON, Ga. — Central Georgia businesses showcased their local shopping magic on Small Business Saturday.

Local businesses had doors wide open and cash registers ringing for the day. The day started in 2010 and has brought in over $200 billion for local businesses across the country. According to American Express, $22 billion was expected to be spent Saturday in local businesses across the country.

“It’s one of the biggest days of the year,” Asia Roberts, assistant manager at a local small business said.

Asia Roberts works as assistant manager at Hop, Skip and Jump Children’s Boutique in Macon. She says this day doesn’t just support the businesses but the entire community.

“When you spend here, every dollar goes back into the community,” Roberts said. “When you go to big retailers, it goes all over.” 

According to Forbes magazine, 68% of each dollar spent at local businesses remains in that community.

Ginny Shoup, owner of Ginny Marie’s in Macon, says they prepare for the day for several months making sure they have the best deals and new inventory.

“We actually added more to the floor since yesterday,” Shoup said. “I was here till 10 last night.”

Shoup says all the work is worth it to serve her customers. Carol Kaplan, another small business owner, agrees.

“Small Business Saturday is more than just a day. It’s a reminder that we are still here 48 years later because of our customers,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan has owned Carol’s Linens for almost five decades. She says her favorite part about owning a local business is the people she meets.

“So many people now that are my best friends that I would have never met any other way, they walked through the doors just like you did, as a customer,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan says because of the support they receive from the community on days like Small Business Saturday, she knows they will be open for many more decades to come.