Small Business Saturday puts big emphasis on local

On Saturday, shoppers will come out of the woodwork to support the small and locally owned businesses in Vancouver.

“For us, it’s a day people come in and say thank you,” said Becky Milner, owner of Vintage Books, 6613 E. Mill Plain Blvd.

Small Business Saturday is a type of shopper’s holiday like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s hosted every year by American Express, and many small businesses in Vancouver are doing something special for shoppers in the spirit of supporting small businesses.

The benefits include keeping money in the local economy and keeping locally owned stores in business.

“It’s usually one of our best days out of the year,” said Mary Sisson, who owns Kazoodles toy store with her husband, Bob. “People understand that small business matters in the community. We offer something that big-box stores can’t.”

Kazoodles, 13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., is offering discounts on magic sets and double rewards points for customers on Saturday, Sisson said.

Betty Low, an employee for two years at Kazoodles, said that Small Business Saturday “lets people know that we are locally owned,” she said.

Milner said that Small Business Saturday usually doubles revenue for that day compared to any others.

“We’ve been here for almost 45 years. We love what we do. We love our customers.”

Vintage Books is hosting an event on Small Business Saturday with five authors, including Jessica Brody, Gretchen McLellan and Jody Little from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sarah Coomber and Rachel Carter from 1 to 3 p.m.

The bookstore is giving away prizes to shoppers on Saturday, including a Lewis-and-Clark-themed prize box specifically for teachers, Milner said.

American Express started Small Business Saturday 10 years ago.

Businesses around the country that participate in the program receive a kit from American Express about a week before Small Business Saturday. It includes stickers, tape and some promotional material. Last year, more than 7,500 businesses took part in the event, and American Express also published a map on its website of all businesses in Clark County participating in Small Business Saturday.

Milner said that she appreciates a gigantic company like American Express raising the awareness of the importance of small retailers.

“With corporate America, there are goods and there are bads. I’m grateful they do this to push the idea to shop local,” she said.

Wild Fern boutique at 901 Main St., Vancouver, is gearing up for its first Small Business Saturday in its new location after moving Nov. 1.

Natasha Hauskins, manager at Wild Fern, said the store is opening its upstairs salesroom Saturday and offering a gift with each purchase.

Wild Fern also partnered with local business Couve Cycle for a new event on Small Business Saturday called Sip, Shop & Spin from 1 to 4 p.m. Couve Cycle’s multiperson bikes will travel to four boutiques including Wild Fern, Urban Barnhouse, The French Door and Not Too Shabby. It starts at Loowit Brewery and ends at Cellar 55 wine-tasting room.

Michael Palensky, owner of Couve Cycle, said it is his first year for the event, and if it goes well, he may continue it on Saturdays in December. Spots for Saturday’s Sip, Shop & Spin were still open as of Wednesday, he said.

“I have always liked shopping local and shopping at small businesses instead of going to Amazon,” he said. “I like to help out my small business people in the trenches.”