SEATTLE — With record sales expected from Americans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, Seattle storefront owners are emphasizing the importance of Small Business Saturday.
Phil Bevis, who has owned Arundel Books in Pioneer Square for more than 30 years, said that although the neighborhood has had a resurgence over the last 18 months, it’s all the more reason to support the local economy.
“Independent bookstores or other businesses like ours are, you know, supported by some sort of trust fund established by the founding fathers,” Bevis said. “We have to make rent and payroll, and taxes every month.”
Bevis added that he still encounters many people who come into his store who admit they haven’t been downtown in years, and he suspects there are still many like them.
“It’s a chance to find something different and you know have a fun experience, [by] getting out and poking around,” Bevis said.
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The long-time business owner said getting out to see what your community has to offer, and connecting face-to-face with store owners to find that gift for yourself or a loved one, is something that neighborhoods are losing to the online world.
“The algorithm is not going to give it to you, and so the real world is actually pretty interesting,” Bevis said—especially when it comes to his niche of books.
That being said, Bevis said business owners have a responsibility to bring more to the table than just an “Open” sign.
“One of the things that’s necessary for community businesses to keep going is you have to give people an experience,” Bevis said.
For him, it’s making a memorable recommendation to a customer and trying to bury their nose in a new story—especially as he anticipates a few thousand people to pass through his doors during Thanksgiving weekend.
“We try to have that mix of the books that everybody asks for, with the books that people don’t know they’re looking for until they see it,” he said.
Pioneer Square will have free parking at the Butler Garage for two hours on Saturday to encourage shoppers to visit.
Other weekend events in Seattle include:
- “30th Annual Magic in the Market” at Pike Place Market—The holiday wonderland lasts from 11 a.m.–4 p.m., ending with a holiday tree lighting at 5 p.m.
- CID Small Business Saturday Food Walk—A number of participating businesses will have special discounts for bites to eat and drinks.
- “Meet the Maker Holiday Market” in Little Saigon—The pop-up showcases local Asian American artists, makers, and emerging entrepreneurs.
- Seattle Restored pop-up shops in Downtown and Lake City.
- Various opportunities for shopping and holiday festivities at the West Seattle Hometown Holidays.
