Cape merchants see good traffic for Small Business Saturday

Merrit Keys and Jerrie Heisserer stepped out of Annie-Em's at Home on Main Street in Cape Girardeau, each with a bag that bore the blue Small Business Saturday logo.

The pair, like many other area shoppers, had decided to enjoy the sunny afternoon in downtown by patronizing local shops. Old Town Cape helped to promote dozens of local businesses on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, which has become known as Small Business Saturday.

Among the sweet-smelling boutiques and glittery storefronts downtown, Heisserer was searching for Christmas decorations and Keys for kitchen decorations, and the season for window-shopping had arrived.

"It's just neat to be downtown," said Heisserer, a lifelong Cape Girardeau resident. "It used to be the only place to shop."

Plus, Keys said, they're acquainted with several of the downtown shop owners, so the small-town appeal of a day downtown was hard to pass up.

Kayla Moore shops at Annie-Em's at Home during Small Business Saturday in Cape Girardeau.ANDREW J. WHITAKER

Paula Haas, owner of Somewhere In Time Antiques, said the heaviest traffic happened later in the afternoon, but this year's turnout had been good and had been even earlier than usual.

"We even had people down here yesterday, on Black Friday," she said. "We have had a great reception of both new and repeat customers."

She said this time of the year is especially important for small shops such as hers.

"We have unique items," she said. "And local stores have the kind of personal service you don't find at the big box stores."

And the traffic wasn't just good for the shops, said Allen Findley, owner of Socials Cafe and Catering on Main Street.

Michelle Volkerding hold her daughter Elaina Volkerding's hand while shopping during Small Business Saturday in Cape Girardeau.ANDREW J. WHITAKER

All day, his shop was full, he said.

"It's always really busy," he said of Small Business Saturday.

Socials Cafe and Catering has been open for nine years, five of which in its current location. Findley said this year has been better from the outset.

"Overall, there's been an increase in foot traffic and business this year," he said. "And usually the fall through Christmas is when you see the most of it."

Up the street at the Indie House, Kristen Roe sampled locally roasted Parengo coffee while her 7-year-old daughter Mia recounted their shopping successes.

From left, Yvonne Hallman walks with her two daughters Kate Hallman and Emily Hallman during Small Business Saturday in Cape Girardeau.ANDREW J. WHITAKER

Roe said her family makes a point to shop locally because, as a CPA, she herself is a local entrepreneur.

"We're a small business, too," she said. "And we got our Christmas decorating done yesterday, so we decided to come out."

Upstairs in the Indie House, Christen Edmonds said traffic through her store, Brickwood Boutique, had been a welcome surprise. It was her first Small Business Saturday since starting her business.

"It's been really busy," she said. "But yesterday was just as good, though, which was surprising."

Edmonds, a Cape Girardeau native, said the area has proved to be an exceedingly welcoming one in which to open a small business.

"There's really a form of opportunity, I feel, for boutiques like this," she said.

Next door at Mississippi Mutts, they agreed, though they struggled to have a spare moment to do so.

"It's awesome. Our neighborhood here is just awesome," said Barb Frolker, who, along with store owner Sherry Jennings, had a busy Saturday.

And, Jennings said, in gussying up their own shop, they made others look good, too.

"We had cupcakes from Socials, drink mixes from Annie-Em's and chocolate from the Corner Grocery Store," she said, to lure patrons inside. "And it's been really good his year. Lots of people coming through to shop locally."

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627