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Small Business Saturday
Shop Small , Shop Local
Long lines and chaos are hallmarks of the holiday season starting late on Thanksgiving night with the madness that is Black Friday . Shoppers wait hours outside of box stores to purchase smart TVs and iPads at discounted prices . However , in small towns across West Virginia , the true sentiment of the holiday season is brought to life on Small Business Saturday . Downtowns light up , locals venture out to find thoughtful and heartfelt gifts for loved ones , and small business owners welcome shoppers with open arms .
On this day of shopping , traditionally held the day after Black Friday , attendees help support and grow the local economy . In 2010 , American Express launched Small Business Saturday with that goal in mind . By 2016 , shoppers reported spending $ 15.4 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday .
Small Business Saturday is catching on across the Mountain State , and six cities — Beckley , Charleston , Martinsburg , Morgantown , Parkersburg and Wheeling — are avid participants in the now annual event . The cities string lights , decorate holiday trees and execute major events in their historic downtown areas around the day to encourage their citizens to shop small and continue to build the local and state economic landscape .
Beckley
The Downtown Beckley Business Association ( DBBA ) hosted their first Shop Small Saturday event in 2016 , and it was an instant success . With the idea of downtown revitalization in mind , the DBBA transformed the town into a one-day retail superstore . Organizers , which include the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and West Virginia State University Extension Agent Christine Kinder , worked with 35 vendors and two property owners to house pop-up shops in vacant buildings .
Local artists , food vendors and direct sales entrepreneurs set up shop , and musicians entertained the crowd of more than 1,000 holiday shoppers . In addition to these vendors , current local retail businesses like Tickety Boo Mercantile and The Consignment Company also participated in the event , driving foot traffic to downtown Beckley .
According to Kinder , participating businesses reported having a successful day , and plans for the 2017 event are underway .
“ One of the vacant properties that participated is currently undergoing renovation and will be opening soon as a multiuse space ,” says Kinder . “ It ’ s exciting to see positive outcomes from our shop small event and encouraging for our downtown revitalization efforts .”
Charleston
Each year , the Charleston Area Alliance and its member businesses go above and beyond for Small Business Saturday , the purpose of which is to shine the spotlight on the small retailers in their neighborhood and do what they can to help them during the holidays .
“ We did a fashion show one Saturday . We closed down one of the streets in downtown Charleston , and a lot of the small retailers worked together to create the show and a reason for people to come downtown and shop ,” says Lesli Forbes , vice president of marketing and development for the Charleston Area Alliance . “ One year , we did a small business passport . We listed all of the participating businesses , and shoppers went to each location to receive a stamp . Then , they were entered for a chance to win a prize .”
This year , while the Charleston Area Alliance is thinking of revisiting the fashion show or passport event , the holiday shopping will actually kick off Friday evening with the Downtown Charleston Artwalk .
“ People are thinking about holiday shopping at that point ,” says Forbes . “ They are wanting to get out . They are wanting to find unique gifts from local retailers for the holiday season . And then Saturday morning rolls around , and I think people are still feeling the same way . The event and the uniqueness of each business really resonates with people during the holidays .”
Photo by Downtown Beckley Business Association . Photo by Charleston Area Alliance .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE