Carolyn Sleeper would prefer that Beaufort County residents do their holiday shopping within county lines.
“I would much rather see people shop here than go to Greenville,” she said. “You can find some really unique things around here.”
Sleeper has been selling her pottery at River Walk Gallery almost as long as she has had a studio. She said people here have been good to her, which is why she understands the importance of shopping at local small businesses on Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday, which falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, was started by American Express about three years ago to remind holiday shoppers to support small-business owners.
Preholiday research by the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express found, “Of the tens of millions of Americans familiar with Small Business Saturday, 67 percent are planning to ‘shop small’ on the day,” according to a press release from American Express. Most plan to spend about $100.
The Historic Bath Site used social media to remind supporters to shop locally this weekend for Small Business Saturday.
“Proceeds from all sales go into the Historic Bath Commission’s (our support group) budget, and they help pay for temporary salaries, special programming and MUCH more,” said Historic Bath’s Facebook post. “Some of the items for sale are even made locally!”
Stereo Town will continue Black Friday sales for Small Business Saturday, said the business’ install manager, Stewart Overton.
He predicted those who supported Small Business Saturday would have a different shopping experience than one in a large retail establishment.
“We actually care about our care about our customers,” Overton said.
Catherine Glover, director of the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of every sale local businesses will make. She said many would be offering discounts for the day.
“A lot of our businesses depend on the Christmas season to help them through the first couple months of the year, which tend to be slower,” she said. “Our local businesses are the backbone of our economy in Beaufort County, and supporting them means you are supporting jobs for citizens and supporting the future growth of our area.”