It’s Time to Shop Small on ‘Small Business Saturday’

When it comes to holiday shopping, large retail stores dominate the market.

Recently, however, there has been a nationwide push to divert holiday sales to local businesses instead.

This trend has become so popular that the day after Black Friday has been dubbed “Small Business Saturday,” or “Shop Small Saturday.”

Many of the shops on Boalsburg’s Main Street are joining in the festivities.

The Riley On Main boutique will be offering special deals, including coupon vouchers, on its vintage-inspired goods the entire weekend after Thanksgiving. The shop will also be holding its Holiday Open House Thursday, Dec. 3, before the Boalsburg Hometown Christmas festival Sunday, Dec. 5.

There will also be holiday deals down the street at A Basket Full, a shop specializing in women’s clothing, accessories and kitchenware. All Vera Bradley products will be discounted, and there will be special offers on Brighton jewelry and bags.

Newcomers to Main Street, such as Chocolates By Leopold and Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, will be offering special holiday products as well as holiday deals. The Seven Mountains Wine Cellars is producing a “12 Days of Christmas” wine collection, in addition to the holiday special of 10 percent off when six bottles are purchased, and 15 percent off on 12 or more bottles.

However, for one Boalsburg shop, the trend to shop locally has come too late.
Elegant Affairs, a village staple, will be closing its doors at the end of December. Until then, the store’s entire inventory of fine women’s clothing and accessories has been marked down up to 75 percent off.

Jinny Wilkes, a local patron, voiced her preference for the unique offerings at stores like Elegant Affairs. “If you want something similar to what most people have, you go to a big name store like Talbots,” explained Wilkes. “This shop has beautiful and creative things that you won’t find anywhere else.”

Another shopper, Heather Ricker-Gilbert, expressed her appreciation for the aesthetic appeal that comes with shopping locally. “It’s a pleasure to shop here,” Ricker-Gilbert said.