With Christmas cookies on the counter, fun music, and beer and wine on the house, David Benders vintage store in Carlisle was as much of a party Saturday as a shopping destination.
Like other Carlisle businesses laying out the welcome mat for Small Business Saturday, the scene at Miss Ruths Time Bomb proved grabbing gifts at big box stores could be a bit bland compared to shopping local.
We have a DJ spinning records right now, said Bender, who co-owns the shop on 117 W. High St. with his wife, Sarah Taby. Bender added, people just couldnt get that experience in a mall or big box store.
Shoppers Saturday milling around businesses in downtown Carlisle seemed to be coming for that unique experience, as well as the clothing and wares they couldnt find elsewhere.
More than a few customers said they had heard of Small Business Saturday. Some said they wanted their money to help support their local businesses and economy.
Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is the day following Black Friday that is dedicated to supporting small businesses. Business associations in Carlisle, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Lemoyne and Perry County were expected to participate in the promotion, according to the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & Capital Region Economic Development Corporations website.
Taby, for one, expected her vintage shop to get a boost in sales that day.
Taby said Small Business Saturday is one of the best days of the year for sales at her store. While she wouldnt delve into exact figures, she said the store probably would bring in 75 percent more in sales than a typical Saturday.
When it opened at 10 a.m., people had lined up at the door. The first 10 got Shop Small gift bags with fun swag like silly sunglasses and Velcro wallets from the shop, Taby said.
By early afternoon, about 200 people had come through the store, Taby said.
Across the street at theClothesVine, co-owner Sally Bobb kept busy ringing up customer after customer and wrapping purchases in green paper.
We are busier today, Bobb said. I think people are especially shopping downtown today, which is very nice.
Bobb said Small Business Saturday and the holiday shopping season likely caused the uptick in traffic.
Customers in the store perused through racks of knit tops as easy-listening holiday music played in the store. One girl inspected a dangling beaded necklace near the cash register.
Terry and Heather Shank of Carlisle one of a couple mother-daughter shopping duos at the store believe in supporting local businesses.
Why not spend your money downtown, finding something unique, as opposed to going to the big box stores? Terry Shank asked.
Judi Springman and her daughter, Michaela Springman, of Hampden Township, didnt seem to have a problem with that they bought a bevvy of Christmas presents at theClothesVine.
Judi Springman, a proponent of Small Business Saturday, said she hoped it was catching on.
Its nice to keep the business local, she said. And they have a variety of things you cant get in the department stores especially around us.
Pam Fleck, co-owner of the American Artisan Gallery, 35 N. Hanover St., said by shopping at her store or others in downtown Carlisle, people are not only supporting the businesses, but also the Carlisle community.
Flecks gallery sells American-made art. Much of that comes from Pennsylvania, Fleck said, including hand-made leather items from Lancaster County and hand-turned wood vases from Hummelstown.
Youre getting something unique, Fleck said, regarding buying American-made arts and crafts. Youre getting something very thoughtful, as well as quality.
Waves of customers came into Flecks gallery Saturday.
One customer, Jane Madio of Lower Paxton Township, couldnt leave empty handed after falling in love with some hand-carved wooden Santas.
Madio planned to add the Santa figurines to her collection of Santa ornaments, figurines and designer dolls that shes collected from around the United States and other countries.
Regarding why she felt it was important to shop at small businesses that Saturday, Madio said those small businesses are what America is all about.
As its only gotten harder for small businesses to survive, people need to come out and support them, Madio said.
Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/11/downtown_carlisle_shops_get_a.html
Comments
Post a Comment